Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-14

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 illustrates the average monthly change in the prices of metals in the year of 2014.

Overall, Nickel had a massive price drop and zinc price also declined in the first 3 quarter of year 2014. Copper remains consistent and price percentage swings between 1 to maximum 3.

Nickel was at its maximum in the month of january after that the price dropped to 1 percent in the month of march. Furthermore, Nickel also follows the same pattern the price gained to 3 percent but later on, dropped to negative 1 percent. However, both metals reversed from negative section and increased the prices toward positive side and nickel performed exceptional in recovery but still haven't reached to its starting price of the year.

Moreover, Copper holds it fundamental and sustain its price however, the price swing from 2 percent to 0 percent but gained the momentum toward upside and the at the end of year the price fall back to approximately 2 percent results in equal to starting price of the year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad pattern of a sharp fall in nickel and comparatively modest movement in copper, and you attempt to summarise changes across the year. However, several key details are inaccurate or unclear. Nickel began at about 6%, not merely an unspecified maximum, and its later rise to positive territory occurred in November, after falling to around -2% in October; the claim that it “gained to 3 percent” later in the year is not supported. Zinc is described as declining in the first three quarters, although it rose early in the year and its changes varied. Copper also ranged roughly from -0.5% to 2%, rather than 1% to 3%. Include a clearer overview and select accurate turning points for all three metals.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two detail paragraphs. Sequencing is generally understandable, and linking expressions such as “Furthermore,” “However,” and “Moreover” help connect points. However, the organisation of the data is not consistently clear. The paragraph about nickel shifts to a rise of 3% and then a fall without identifying the months, making the sequence difficult to follow; “both metals” is also unclear because the preceding discussion focuses mainly on nickel. The final paragraph returns to copper but leaves zinc largely unreported. Grouping the metals more systematically and using month references to show changes would make progression clearer. Some connectors currently suggest relationships that the data does not establish.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “price drop,” “reversed,” “recovery,” “percentage,” and “momentum,” so the main topic is usually clear. There are also attempts at more descriptive language, such as “massive” and “performed exceptional,” though these are not always precise or natural for an academic graph summary. Several collocations and word forms need attention: “price percentage swings,” “holds it fundamental,” and “gained the momentum toward upside” are awkward or unclear. Prefer neutral, precise expressions such as “fluctuated,” “remained relatively stable,” and “recovered.” Check spelling and capitalisation too, including “January” and consistent use of “nickel.” More accurate vocabulary would help you report trends without overstating them.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses linked with “after that,” “but,” and “however,” and the overall meaning is generally recoverable. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly with verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction. For example, “Copper remains consistent” shifts tense, while “Nickel also follows the same pattern the price gained” joins clauses without a clear grammatical link. “Zinc price also declined in the first 3 quarter” needs an article and plural agreement, and “the price fall back” should use a past-tense form. There are also punctuation and spacing issues, such as the extra space in “zinc price also.” Use past tense consistently for the 2014 data and check each sentence for a complete, clearly connected structure.

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