Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-02

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The graph below shows the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Average monthly change in prices of copper, nickel and zinc (2014)

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The graph gives the information of monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.

Overall the prices were fluctuating in whole time period and the nickel showed quite decline from 6% to -3% and then rised upto 1% by the end of december.

The maximum prices of nickel was dropped in whole year. In Jan 2014 the price of nickel was 6% and then dropped at -3% by the end of May and then moved upto 1% by the end of december.

The most fluctuation was seen in copper and Zinc. In case of copper the prices were 1% in january and then kept falling at -1% by the end of july and then it showed a big movement in prices during the last days of december which was about 2%. While talking about zinc it was at 1% in january and then moved upto 3% and then showed it maximum decline which is -1% in month of june and then again showed it maximum prices which is 2% in december.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main broad pattern—that nickel fell sharply before recovering—and include several relevant figures, such as its January peak of 6% and June low of about -3%. You also cover copper and zinc, so the response addresses the graph rather than focusing on only one series. However, the overview is limited and some details are inaccurate: copper was about -0.5% in May and June, not -1% by July, and its December change was about 1.5%, not 2%. Nickel reached its low in June, not by the end of May. The claim that nickel’s “maximum prices” dropped is unclear, and the response does not clearly compare the metals’ overall patterns. A more precise overview and accurate selection of key turning points would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details about the metals. This gives the reader some sense of organisation, and linking expressions such as “Overall,” “then,” and “While talking about zinc” help connect points. However, the progression is not consistently clear: nickel is described in the overview and then repeated in a separate paragraph, while copper and zinc are grouped together without a clear comparison. Repeated use of “then” makes the account sound list-like, and some references, such as “it” in the final paragraph, are not always immediately clear. Organise the body by meaningful stages or compare the metals directly, using a wider range of accurate linking phrases.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “monthly change,” “prices,” “fluctuation,” “decline,” and “maximum,” and the reader can generally understand which metals and movements you mean. There is some attempt to vary the language rather than relying only on “went up” and “went down.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “the maximum prices of nickel was dropped,” “moved upto,” and “showed a big movement in prices.” “Fluctuation” is also used where a specific rise or fall would be clearer. These choices limit precision in describing the data. Build a reliable set of graph-reporting phrases and use them accurately, for example, “fell to,” “recovered to,” and “recorded a rise.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple sentences and longer sentences joined with “and” and “then,” so there is some variety in structure. The main message is usually understandable, but errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction are noticeable. For example, “the nickel showed quite decline” needs an article and a more suitable noun phrase, while “the maximum prices of nickel was dropped” has an agreement problem and an incorrect passive construction. “Then rised” also uses an incorrect past form, and the long final sentences would be clearer if divided or punctuated more carefully. Practise accurate past-tense forms and subject–verb agreement, and use shorter, controlled sentences when reporting several changes.

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