Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-03

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 rendered line chart illustrates the average monthly charge in costs of copper, nickel and zinc in the time period of 2014.

In an overview, it is quiet evident that in the case of nickel costs compared to previous months, this was show most of the variation during the year whereas least was recorded in case of copper prices.

Looking at the line grapgh in more detail, in the subject Nickel prices change during 2014, start with 6% in first month then rapidly declined to 1% in march. Afterthat, stagant for while then decrement to -3% in june and inclined to -1% and stable for three months then went down to -2% in october then rapidly grow up to 1% in last 2 months. Apart from this, in subject of Zinc prices fluctutation, this was seen on 1% at starting afterthat it grow up to 3% in second month and slowly declined to 1% in may.

Moving towards the remaining data, after july month this was constant for 3 months and lit bit decline in it last last months. At last, in case of copper prices change, this was start with 2% and slowly declined to 0.5% in following months and inclined in last 6 months and end at 1.5%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main contrast accurately: nickel fluctuates most, while copper is comparatively stable, and you report several key turning points, including nickel’s fall to −3% in June and copper’s rise to 1.5% in December. However, coverage is partial because the zinc account stops after May and its later negative period and recovery are only vaguely described. The copper description also misstates the trend: it does not rise throughout the final six months, but stays near 1% before reaching 1.5% in December. A clearer overview of the shared mid-year decline and late-year recovery, supported by accurate comparisons across all three metals, would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details about nickel, zinc and copper. Sequencing words such as “Looking at,” “Apart from this” and “At last” help signal transitions. However, progression is uneven: the zinc discussion is interrupted by “Moving towards the remaining data,” and the reader must infer that this paragraph continues the zinc trend. Some references, including “this” and “it,” have unclear antecedents, while “after July month” does not clearly connect to the preceding information. Organise the body into clearer comparisons or complete one metal’s trend before moving to another, and use more precise linking and referencing to make the account easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “declined,” “stable,” “variation” and “fluctuation,” and the reader can generally understand the intended trends. However, the range and control are limited by repeated or imprecise expressions such as “prices change,” “grow up” and “in the case of.” Several spelling errors—“grapgh,” “stagant,” “fluctutation” and “lit bit”—also make the writing less clear and polished. Some collocations are unnatural, for example “average monthly charge in costs” and “rapidly grow up.” Build a more accurate set of chart-description verbs and phrases, and check spelling and word forms carefully; this will help you describe changes more precisely without relying on repetitive wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt longer sentences and some subordinate structures, such as “it is … evident that…” and “after July month this was constant,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in verb forms and tense appear in phrases such as “this was show,” “prices change … start” and “it grow up.” Articles, prepositions and sentence construction are also often inaccurate, as in “in first month,” “in case of copper prices change” and “in the subject of Zinc.” These problems sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to interpret. Practise forming clear past-tense sentences with a subject and verb, then add comparisons or time clauses only when the basic structure is secure. More accurate simple sentences would improve clarity while you develop complex forms.

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