Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The graph illustrates the average change in the prices of three different metals on monthly basis.

Overall,it is clearly evident that prices of all metals fell during the year.Nickel has the highest chage in price at the start of the year ,while Zinc has lowest change.By the end of the year , Nickel has lowest change in price ,while Zinc axperienced the largest change in price.

The prices of Nickel,Copper and Zinc changed by 6%,2% and 1% at the start of an year.Zinc experienced a sharp decrease untill june,followed by a steady increase till july ,then remained stable from July to September ,again declined in October before rose again to 15%.

The copper showed a smooth decline in rate change till july,followed by gradual increase untill december.The Zinc experienced a sharp fluctuations till June , its prices surged to 3% in February , followed by a dip largest dip in July before increasing again to 1% in December.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the three metals and give an overview, but the main trends are not reported accurately enough. The statement that all prices “fell during the year” overlooks the recovery in the final months, and the claim that zinc rose to “15%” is incorrect: its December change was about 2%. The description of zinc also mixes up its movements: it rose to 3% in February, then declined to around -1% in June, rather than falling until June and recovering by July. You do include useful starting figures and mention copper’s later rise, but key comparisons and the overall pattern need clearer, more accurate coverage. Select the major peaks, troughs and year-end recovery, and check each figure against the graph.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and further details, with some grouping of trends. However, progression is weakened by repeated or conflicting information. Zinc’s movements are described twice, and the second account says it dipped in July before rising to 1% in December, while the earlier account gives a different sequence and an incorrect final figure. Connectors such as “followed by,” “then” and “again” help show sequence, but the long chains make the timeline difficult to follow. Paragraphing is present, though the final paragraph would be more effective if it compared the metals rather than repeating details. Organise the body by shared stages or by metal, and use clear time references consistently.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “sharp decrease,” “steady increase,” “remained stable” and “gradual increase.” These phrases show an attempt to describe movement rather than simply list figures. However, some choices are inaccurate or awkward: “highest change” and “lowest change” do not clearly distinguish a positive rise from a negative fall, while “sharp fluctuations” is not a natural description of a specific trend. Spelling errors such as “chage,” “axperienced” and “untill” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise terms such as “largest increase,” “lowest point” and “recovered,” and proofread spelling and collocations so the reader can interpret the data without hesitation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences with sequencing clauses, for example, “Zinc experienced a sharp decrease … followed by a steady increase.” However, the longer structures are often difficult to control, and punctuation and spacing errors occur throughout: “Overall,it” and “By the end of the year ,” are examples. There are also problems with articles and verb forms, as in “at the start of an year” and “before rose again.” Tense use shifts between past and present (“has the highest” and “experienced”), although the graph describes completed events in 2014. Use consistent past tense, check article use, and divide long sequences into shorter sentences. These changes would make the relationships between events clearer.

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