Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-13

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 graph ilustrates fluctuation in the prices of three different metals namely, copper, nickel and zinc in each month of year 2014.

Overall, prices of all three metals dropped during the first six month, while during last six months of the year it goes through fluctuation and incresed.

To begin with, changes in the nickel price is highest then other two metal in January at 6%. It decresed significantally in next two month at 1% and remained same for April before again plummeting -3% in June. Prices further incresed in next month to -1% and remained stable for next three month before again falling to -2% in October. Prices rose to 1% in November and seen no chamges in last month which is lowest for that month in comparision with other two metal .

On the other hand, copper and zinc is started at 2% and 1% ,respectively. Before plummeting to only -1% in June price of zinc slightly went up to 3% in February. While, price of copper dipped to almost -0.5% in june before reaching to almost 1.5% in last month. After remaining nearly stable for next four month prices of copper soared and reached at 2% which is highest then other metals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the three metals and provide an overview, then report several relevant figures, especially nickel’s high January rise and sharp fall to -3% in June. However, the overview is not fully accurate: copper and zinc did not both drop throughout the first six months, as zinc began rising and copper was broadly declining only after April. Some details are also misreported: nickel stayed at -1% for three months only through September, then fell to -2% in October; copper ended at about 1.5%, not 2%. The account gives useful comparisons, but the copper and zinc trends are less fully and clearly described than nickel’s. A more precise overview and careful checking of key values would make the main features clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group nickel separately from copper and zinc. Sequencing is generally easy to follow, and phrases such as “To begin with” and “On the other hand” signal the shift between groups. However, some connections are awkward or unclear. For example, “After remaining nearly stable for next four month prices of copper soared” does not clearly identify the period or explain the movement, and the final sentence’s “which is highest” has an unclear reference. The overview also groups the first and second halves too broadly. Use more precise time references and link each comparison directly to the relevant metal and period.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of trend vocabulary for describing a graph, including “fluctuation,” “plummeting,” “dipped,” “remained stable,” and “soared.” These choices help communicate direction and degree, although some are inaccurate or do not fit the data: copper did not “soar” to 2%, and “plummeting” is too strong for zinc’s movement to -1%. There are also spelling errors, including “ilustrates,” “incresed,” “significantally,” and “comparision,” alongside awkward phrases such as “changes in the nickel price.” These do not prevent understanding, but they reduce precision and control. Check spelling carefully and choose trend verbs that match the size of each change.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast with “While” and time clauses such as “before again plummeting.” The main trends are usually understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “prices of all three metals … it goes” has a subject–verb agreement problem and an unclear pronoun; “changes in the nickel price is highest” also has faulty agreement and sentence structure. Articles, plurals, and verb forms need attention in phrases such as “in each month of year” and “copper and zinc is started.” Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly around commas and spaces. Practise building accurate sentences around a clear subject, then check agreement and tense before adding complex clauses.

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