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 line graph shows average monthly percentage and compared with previous month, which changed in the prices of copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014

Overall, nickel has the highest percentage and dramically decreased at the end while copper and zinc remains lowest as compared to nickel.

Nickel is at highest point which is at 6% and decreased to -3 in the mid and again rose to 1% at the end of the year. Copper is the second highest at 2% and fluctuated throughout the year and slightly increased to 1.5% at the end whereas zinc is at low point which is 1% and slightly incraesed to 3% at start and gradullay decreased throughout the year and reached at 2% at the end of the year.

In the start nickel is at highest point as compared to other two metals while at the end of the year the nickel is at 1% while copper and zinc is at 1.5% and 2% respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall pattern: nickel begins with the strongest rise, falls sharply into negative territory, and ends at 1%, while copper and zinc finish higher. Several figures are also reported accurately, including nickel’s 6% January peak and -3% June low, and copper’s 2% start. However, some trends are unclear or inaccurate: zinc rises to 3% in February, not at the start, and it does not gradually decline throughout the year because it rises again in November and December. Copper’s final value is 1.5%, which you state correctly. The response addresses the task and includes an overview, but it would be stronger with a clearer account of the mid-year changes and the late-year recovery in both nickel and zinc.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction to an overview and then to details and a final comparison. This helps the reader follow the broad message. However, the final paragraph largely repeats information already given, and the progression between details is not always clear. For example, the long third paragraph combines nickel, copper and zinc without consistently organising them by time period or series. Some linking phrases, such as “whereas” and “while,” are useful, but the comparisons could be more systematically connected. Grouping the metals’ early, mid-year and late-year movements, and avoiding the repeated end-of-year comparison, would make the organisation more coherent and cohesion less repetitive.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “percentage,” “fluctuated,” “decreased,” “increased,” and “at the end of the year,” so the main trends are generally understandable. However, the range is limited and some word choices or collocations are inaccurate, such as “average monthly percentage and compared with previous month” and “at low point.” Repetition of “highest point,” “increased,” and “decreased” also makes the description less precise. Spelling errors such as “dramically,” “incraesed,” and “gradullay” are noticeable and reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise trend language and check spelling; for example, distinguish a “peak” from a “rise,” and describe a series as “remaining below” another rather than simply “lowest.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, particularly when comparing the three metals, and the reader can usually understand the intended meaning. However, grammatical control is inconsistent. The opening sentence lacks a clear grammatical structure, and “which changed in the prices” does not fit the intended meaning. There are also agreement and article problems in phrases such as “copper and zinc remains lowest” and “the nickel is at 1%,” as well as awkward sentence construction in “Nickel is at highest point which is at 6%.” Some sentences are long and joined with “and” or “whereas,” making their structure difficult to manage. Use complete, direct sentences and check subject–verb agreement, articles and punctuation.

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