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 information in terms of percentage regarding the average monthly change in the prices of three metals, such as copper, zinc and nickel in the year 2014.
From an overall perspective, it is evident that in the first month nickel was accounted for maximum proportion, while in the last month the same metals was recorded for the least proportion.
Looking first at copper, it witnessed a fluctuating trend as in January the price increased by 2%, which then dropped down by 0.5% in may. In the middle of the year, the change in the price of nickel grew steadily and remained constant. Meanwhile, the price of zinc increase dramatically in the beginning of the year, at 3% and then fell negatively to 1%. At the end of the year, the price of the zinc increase by 2%.
In contrast, the price change in nickel was highest in the month of the January, which was 6%. It then dropped significantly and reached negative 3% in the month of June. Noticeably, in the month of December the proportionate change in the price of nickel was lowest, at 1%. as compared to zinc and copper, which was 2% and 1.5%, respectively.
In contr
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, including the trends for copper, nickel, and zinc. However, the analysis is somewhat inconsistent. For instance, the description of nickel's trend in the middle of the year as 'constant' is not supported by the data, and the description of zinc's movement is slightly confusing. While the key features are identified, the reporting of data points is occasionally inaccurate or lacks precision. To reach a higher band, ensure that the data selected is described with greater accuracy and that the overview clearly highlights the most significant trends rather than just listing individual points.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. There is a clear introduction and a summary overview. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as the transition 'In the middle of the year'. Additionally, the final sentence is incomplete ('In contr'), which disrupts the flow and coherence of the conclusion. While the progression of ideas is generally logical, the lack of a finished thought at the end impacts the overall cohesion of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to describe trends and percentages. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, such as 'proportionate change' and 'fluctuating trend'. However, there are instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'nickel was accounted for maximum proportion' and 'fell negatively to 1%'. These errors do not impede communication, but they do limit the precision of the report. Expanding the range of reporting verbs and adverbs would help improve the score in this criterion.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'the same metals was recorded' (subject-verb agreement) and 'the price of the zinc increase' (tense error). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some sentences lacking proper capitalization or containing unnecessary commas. While the meaning remains clear despite these errors, the frequency of mistakes prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage will significantly improve the accuracy of the writing.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.