Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-06

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 6.5)

This line graph illustrates the fluctuation in the average monthly percentage change in the prices of three coinage metals i.e. zinc, copper, nickel in 2014. Overall, there is an irregular decrease in the percentage change of prices for nickel while zinc demonstrated an irregular increase towards the end of the year. Copper was the only metal whose percentage change in monthly price was almost same at the beginnig and at the end of the year.

From January, nickel showed a continuous drop in the percentage from 6% untill it reached -3% where a sharp dip is formed. The figure rose afterwards followed by levelling off for three months at -1% and a small dip in October before finally becoming stable at -1% again in the last two months.

The same pattern is seen for Zinc except that the number for ZInc rose for one month before declining. Regarding copper metal, the figure dropped from January at 2% creating a smooth dip from April to June before it becomes levelled off at 1% for three months. After that, the number dropped a bit and then rose upto 2% in December.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main contrast between nickel’s decline and the later recovery in zinc, and you note that copper ends at a level broadly similar to its starting point. However, some key details are inaccurate or insufficiently developed. Nickel does not remain at −1% in the final two months: it rises to about 1% in both November and December. The description of zinc as following “the same pattern” as nickel is too general and misses its rise in February, decline to negative changes in June, and recovery to around 2% by December. Copper also ends at about 1.5%, rather than 2%. A more precise overview and clearer comparisons across the year would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction and overview are followed by separate descriptions of nickel, zinc and copper. Time markers such as “From January,” “afterwards” and “in October” help the reader follow the sequence. This gives the report a coherent progression, though the zinc paragraph is very brief and its link to the preceding nickel description is not sufficiently clear: “The same pattern is seen for Zinc” oversimplifies the data. Some transitions also make the chronology harder to follow, particularly the claim that nickel becomes stable “in the last two months,” which conflicts with the earlier account. Grouping metals by shared rises and falls, and using more explicit comparisons, would strengthen the flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a suitable range of vocabulary for describing a graph, including “fluctuation,” “sharp dip,” “declining” and “levelled off.” These choices help communicate changes in direction and degree. There are, however, some inaccurate or awkward expressions: “coinage metals” is not the natural term here, and “the number for Zinc” is imprecise when referring to a percentage change. “Irregular decrease” and “irregular increase” are also less natural than describing a fluctuating trend. Spelling and form slips such as “beginnig,” “untill,” “ZInc” and “upto” reduce accuracy, although the intended meaning remains clear. More precise graph vocabulary and careful proofreading would improve control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex forms, including the overview sentence beginning “Overall” and the sequence “From January, nickel showed…” followed by a time clause. Most sentences remain understandable, but some grammatical inaccuracies are present. For example, “Copper was the only metal whose percentage change … was almost same” needs an article before “same,” and “before it becomes levelled off” shifts tense and uses an awkward passive construction. The sentence about nickel’s final months is also difficult to parse because “before finally becoming stable” does not clearly identify what becomes stable. Keep past-tense reporting consistent and check articles, clause links and sentence construction to make the meaning more precise.

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