Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-07-25
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)
The line graph illustrates the percentage change in prices compared with previous month of Copper, Nickel and Zinc on monthly average basis during the year 2014.
Overall, the price of Nickel was the highest in the month of January which is also the highest among all the prices among others for whole year. By contrast, Nickel was also the same metal which is the lowest priced at the end of the month. Rest two lies in between following increasing and decreasing trend.
Regarding the metal, Nickel was highest in January with 6 percent and it was lowest in June recored at negative 3 percent. Furthermore, it rose and at the last month December it was 1 percent.
Turning to Copper, it started with 2 percent in January which is highest in it is graph. It forms a wave like structure and in December it was percentage recorded at 1.5 percent approximately.
At last Zinc, it was highest in February that is 3 percent and lowest in the month of June and October at negative 1 percent. Then in December it was recorded at 2 percent.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response covers the main features of the graph, identifying the trends for copper, nickel, and zinc. However, the overview is somewhat confusing; stating that nickel was the 'lowest priced' at the end of the month is inaccurate as the graph shows percentage change, not absolute price. The description of the data is generally accurate, but the analysis lacks a clear comparison between the metals. To improve, ensure that the overview clearly highlights the most significant trends or differences rather than just listing individual data points. The distinction between 'price' and 'percentage change' must be maintained throughout to avoid misinterpretation of the data.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive. For instance, the transition between paragraphs could be smoother, and the use of referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the sentence 'Rest two lies in between'. While the logical progression is generally present, the lack of sophisticated linking words makes the flow feel a bit disjointed. Improving the variety of transition signals and ensuring clear pronoun references would enhance the overall coherence of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to describe the trends using terms like 'increasing', 'decreasing', and 'wave like structure'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'recored' (spelling error) and 'Rest two lies in between', which is informal and imprecise. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to data trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', or 'remained stable', and ensure that terminology is used correctly in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'which is also the highest among all the prices among others' (redundancy) and 'it is graph' (incorrect possessive). Subject-verb agreement is also an issue in sentences like 'Rest two lies in between'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to affect the clarity of the writing. Increasing the variety of complex structures and proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy would significantly improve the quality of the response.
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