Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-05

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 provided line graph illustares the average monthly changes in prices of copper, nickel and zink during 2014.

Overall, copper and zink were both creates a fluctuation pattern over the perioud given, while nicklke was a more expansive before fall down.

The nickle was most popular in january at 6%, and then decreased dramatically at around 1% in march. march to april levelled off and gradually fall down for -3%. In july the figur was slightly recoverd and remained relatively stable in september to reached -1%. Following this, the figure was improved considerable and peaked up 1% in november, after that levelled off in december.

Meanwhile, zinck was in january at 2%, and then slightly increased in febuary around 3%, this figure plummed in march to 1%. Zinck reached to -1% in june to october. After this month zinck was steadily rose and climed at 2% in the december. Which shown a most expensive in the last month compared with copper and nickel.

Simlarly, copper has shown a fluctuating pattern. copper in january at 2%, and then decreased steadily at approximately -0.5 in june. Following this, this figure significantly recoverd in the last month accounted for approximately 1.5%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the three metals and describe several important movements, including nickel’s high starting point and sharp fall, and the general recovery in the final months. However, some figures and comparisons are inaccurate: zinc begins at about 1%, not 2%, and it does not remain at −1% from June to October; it is closer to −0.5% for much of that period. The overview also says copper and zinc fluctuate while nickel is “more expansive,” which does not clearly summarise the main pattern. Include a precise overview contrasting nickel’s greater volatility with copper’s relatively small changes, and check the monthly values before reporting them. This would make the key features more complete and reliable.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate descriptions of nickel, zinc and copper. Time markers such as “Overall,” “Meanwhile,” and “Following this” help the reader follow the sequence. However, progression is sometimes weakened by unclear references and awkward links. For example, “Which shown a most expensive in the last month” is an incomplete sentence, and “After this month” does not clearly identify the period being discussed. The overview’s comparison is also difficult to interpret. Use complete sentences, make references explicit, and group related movements into clear phases—for example, the early decline, mid-year negative changes and late recovery—to create smoother progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of trend vocabulary, including “decreased dramatically,” “levelled off,” “recovered,” “peaked,” and “fluctuating pattern.” These choices show an effort to describe changes rather than simply list figures. However, frequent spelling errors and imprecise or unnatural word choices reduce clarity, including “illustares,” “zink,” “plummed,” and “most popular” for the highest percentage change. Some combinations are also unsuitable, such as “peaked up 1%” and “more expansive.” Use accurate forms such as “illustrates,” “zinc,” and “plunged,” and choose neutral chart language: “recorded the largest increase,” “fell to,” or “rose to a peak of.” This would make the vocabulary more precise and appropriate to an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple statements and attempts at longer sentences with time clauses, such as “Following this, the figure…” and “After this month…,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in verb forms and sentence construction occur frequently: “copper and zink were both creates” and “zinck was steadily rose” combine incompatible verb patterns, while “Which shown…” is a fragment. Articles and prepositions are also often missing or misplaced, as in “in january at 6%” and “reached to -1%.” These problems sometimes make the intended relationship between events difficult to follow. Practise reliable patterns such as “Nickel stood at 6% in January, then fell to 1% by March” and “Zinc rose steadily to 2% in December,” while checking tense and sentence completeness.

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