Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The line graph represents the perccentage of average monthly changes in the prices of three metals in 2014.

Overall, the percentage of nickel dropped down, the percentage of zinc fluctuated while the percentage of copper was quite stable through out the given period of time.

Initially, in january the percentage of nickle was approximately 6%, in march it dropped by 5% and was around1%. This remain stable for 3 months but major decreased in percentage by the month of june and it became -3% nearly. After reaching to -3% it tried to regian and again attained there percentage at 1% by the month end of year. Subsequently, zinc has average of 1% in the beginig of the year which elevated upto 3% approximately. Then started drop down and touched -1% by the june and remained stable till october and retained average of about 2% in november and december. Concurrently, the percentage of copper underwent the minor changes but retain their starting percentage which was around 2% and approximately 1.8% by the end of year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall pattern and include relevant comparisons: nickel begins highest, falls sharply to a low in June, and later recovers, while copper changes less dramatically. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear. Nickel is described as dropping “by 5%” in March, although it falls from about 4% in February to 1% in March; it then remains near 1% only through May, not for three months after March. Zinc does not remain stable from June to October: it rises gradually from around -1% to about -0.5% before falling again in October. The overview also says nickel “dropped down,” which misses its late-year recovery. More precise reporting of these stages and a clearer comparison of the metals’ year-end figures would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and a chronological account of the three metals. This gives the reader a coherent overall route through the information. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “Then,” and “Subsequently” help signal changes, and the metals are generally discussed in a sensible order. However, the long final paragraph combines several series and stages, making comparisons harder to follow. Some linking is mechanical, particularly “Concurrently,” and references such as “This” and “there” are not always clear. Separate the detailed account into shorter paragraphs and use explicit time markers and comparisons—for example, contrast the June lows of nickel and zinc—to make progression and relationships clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing trends, including “fluctuated,” “stable,” “elevated,” “retained,” and “minor changes.” These choices show an attempt to vary language rather than repeat basic terms. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward: “dropped down,” “major decreased in percentage,” “regian,” and “attained there percentage” make parts of the account difficult to interpret. Spelling errors such as “perccentage,” “nickle,” and “beginig” also reduce control. Use standard trend phrases such as “fell sharply,” “recovered to,” and “remained relatively stable,” and check spelling carefully. More precise vocabulary would help distinguish a rise, fall, recovery, and period of stability.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including time clauses and linked descriptions, and the main message is usually understandable. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly with verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction. For example, “This remain stable” needs a past-tense verb, while “the percentage of copper … retain their starting percentage” has inconsistent tense and agreement. The sentence beginning “Then started drop down” lacks a clear subject and a correctly formed verb phrase. Articles and prepositions are also sometimes missing or awkward, as in “by the month end of year.” Aim for complete clauses with consistent past-tense reporting, and check that each subject agrees with its verb. These corrections would make the varied sentence forms more controlled.

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