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 graph below illustrates the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014. Overall, all the metals had fluctuations throughout the year. In the start of the year nickel had the largest change in the price while other metals prices were also changed. Nickel faced suddenly decreased but it rose suddenly. Copper did not had too much down fall while in some months copper prices remained the same. Zinc prices had upps and down throughout the year.

Nickel prices changed to 6% which was hihest increase overall while copper and zinc prices were changed also. copper price changed 2% while zinc prices changed 1%. With the passage of time nickel prics decreased to 4% while copper rices also decreased to 1%. At the same time zinc prices rose to 3% in the month of Febuary. Nickel prices strat decreasing from 4% and then reached to -3% after fluctuations. In contrast, copper prices reached to almost -1% after fluctuations while zinc prices dropped and reached -1% in June.

After decreasing nickel prices rose to some extent and reached -1% then remained the same untill September while remaini g two metals also showed no change during this period. By the end tof the year all the metals recovered. Nickel reached 1% while zinc had the highest change 2%. In contrast, copper also increased and recorded between 1 and 2%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main overall pattern—that nickel fluctuated most and all three metals recovered towards year-end—and include several relevant figures, such as nickel’s 6% January rise and zinc’s 3% February increase. However, some key details are inaccurate or unclear: nickel fell to -3% in June and then rose to -1% in July, rather than reaching -1% and remaining there until September; copper was around -0.5% in May and June, not almost -1%. The overview also says nickel “rose suddenly” without specifying when, and the claim that the other metals “remained the same” is too broad. A more precise overview and accurate comparisons across the middle and final months would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an opening overview followed by details about the early, middle and final parts of the year. Time markers such as “With the passage of time” and “By the end of the year” help the reader follow the chronology. However, progression is not consistently clear because several points are repeated or loosely connected, particularly the general statements that prices fluctuated and later recovered. Some linking phrases do not show the relationship accurately: “In contrast” is used where the figures are not necessarily contrasting, and “At the same time” introduces a separate zinc movement. Grouping the metals’ movements by period and using clearer comparisons would create a more logical flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “fluctuations,” “decreased,” “reached” and “recovered,” and you attempt to describe changes in percentage terms. However, the range is limited and several expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “prices had upps and down,” “faced suddenly decreased,” and “recorded between 1 and 2.” Spelling errors—including “hihest,” “prics,” “Febuary” and “strat”—also make the writing less clear and polished. Choose precise verbs for trends and use standard collocations, for example, “fell sharply,” “remained stable” and “rose to 1.5%.” Proofreading would help prevent spelling slips from distracting the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and longer sentences, and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, grammatical errors occur frequently, and attempts to form more complex sentences are often faulty. Examples include “Nickel faced suddenly decreased,” which lacks a correct verb structure, and “Copper did not had too much down fall,” where the verb form after “did not” is incorrect. There are also problems with articles, agreement and sentence construction, as in “while remaini g two metals also showed no change.” Several sentences join multiple movements without clear grammatical control. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build longer sentences around clear clauses, checking verb forms and punctuation.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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