Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-12

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 below illustrates the alterations in the monthly mean rates of the three metals in the year of 2014 and it is expressed as percentage.

Looking at the overall chart, it is evident that the cost of all the three metals decreases with nickel being at the lost with dramatical loss.

Nickel prices were at 6% in the starting of the month; however, it was constantly decreased along with the month with three dips out of which two were significant at -3% and -2% and plateau was experienced at the end of the month at 1%. Almost similar trend was followed the zinc, except it commenced at 1% and after which it rose at 3% with two dips at -1% which were higher than the nickel result in being at 2% at the end of the period.

Fluctuations were seen with the rates of the copper metal which initiate at 2% and remained constantly at 1% before it fell to 1.5% at the month's end.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the three metals and include relevant figures, especially nickel’s high starting point and sharp fall, as well as the late-year recovery in nickel and zinc. However, the overview is inaccurate: “the cost of all the three metals decreases” suggests an overall decline, whereas copper and zinc finish above zero and all three rise in November and December. Some details are also misreported or unclear: nickel has one lowest point of about -3% in June, not “three dips,” and copper does not remain at 1% before falling to 1.5%; it fluctuates around 0.5–1% for much of the year. A clearer overview and more accurate selection of key movements would make the summary more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing nickel and zinc before copper. This gives the reader a basic progression, and linking expressions such as “however,” “except,” and “at the end of the period” help connect information. The comparison between nickel and zinc is also a useful organising choice. Some links are difficult to follow, though: the long sentence beginning “Nickel prices were at 6%” combines several movements without clear separation, and “after which” has no clear referent in the zinc sentence. The final copper paragraph feels disconnected from the preceding comparison. Grouping the metals’ shared late-year recovery and separating major phases into shorter sentences would improve flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “fluctuations,” “plateau,” “dips,” and “percentage,” and the reader can generally understand the intended trends. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “illustrates” and “evident.” However, several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unnatural: “at the lost” appears to mean “at the lowest point,” “dramatical loss” is not idiomatic, and “constantly decreased” does not accurately describe nickel’s changing monthly figures. “Rates of the copper metal” is also less natural than “copper prices.” Aim for precise trend language—such as “fell sharply,” “recovered,” and “fluctuated”—and check that each phrase matches the data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including a contrast clause with “however” and a comparison introduced by “except.” The overall meaning is usually recoverable, but some grammatical errors make relationships between events unclear. For example, “it was constantly decreased” uses an incorrect passive form; “it rose at 3%” has an inaccurate preposition pattern; and “similar trend was followed the zinc” is missing an article and has faulty sentence structure. In the final paragraph, “which initiate” also has an incorrect verb form, while “remained constantly at 1% before it fell” creates a confusing sequence. Use active verbs with clear subjects and check articles, tense consistency, and clause boundaries.

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