Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-07-26

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)

This line graph illustrates on average monthly the prices of three materials in the period of 2014.

As reflected, the 'X' axis showing the different months of the year, and the 'Y' axis represents the changes of prices of these materials compared with the previous month.

Overall, the prices of all three materials went through ups and downs through out the year.

At first glance, the copper price was at positive in the beginning of the year, then saw gradual decrease of the price in the month of June. Again it went through a stable price range till September, the rose slowly, and in the ending month the year, where the price grew to a positive shift nearly two percent comparing to the previous month. On the other hand, there were drastic changes of the price of Nickel can be seen. On the month of January its price was the highest point of the graph. Then the price took a huge shift towards to the lowest point of the negative percentages of price on the month of June. After that price was stable still September, then again it saw a positive surge. Zinc price was on the positive side at the beginning of the year, then gradually went to negative price at June. After that, it was stable point, then again, took a dramatic shift to the positive price range at ending month of the year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all three metals and identifies the main trends, such as the general volatility and the specific shifts in June and September. However, the report lacks a clear overview paragraph that synthesises the data effectively. While the trends are described, the comparison between the metals is somewhat limited, as they are treated in isolation rather than being compared against each other. To improve, ensure that the 'Overall' statement highlights the most significant trends or differences between the three metals rather than just stating they fluctuated. The data points are generally accurate, but the lack of a structured summary of the key features prevents a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is organised into a logical sequence, moving from an introduction to an overview and then into specific details. However, the paragraphing is weak; the entire body of the report is contained in a single, dense paragraph, which makes it harder to follow. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'On the other hand' and 'After that', but they are sometimes repetitive or used mechanically. The flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear focus. The referencing is generally clear, but the lack of paragraph breaks impacts the overall readability.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to describe trends like 'gradual decrease', 'drastic changes', and 'positive surge'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'at positive' instead of 'in positive territory' and 'stable point' instead of 'remained stable'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors for movement. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise terminology related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'bottomed out', or 'marginal increase', and ensure that collocations are natural and accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Examples include 'illustrates on average monthly the prices', 'the 'X' axis showing', and 'in the ending month the year'. These errors, while not impeding communication, are persistent. There are also issues with article usage and prepositional phrases. To improve, the student should focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct structure of descriptive sentences. Increasing the variety of complex structures while ensuring they are error-free would help in achieving a higher band score.

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