Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-07-28
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 chart illustrates the proportion of monthly changes in the prices of copper, nickel, and zinc in a specific year of 2014.
It is clear that the percentage of monthly changes in the price of copper was highest in beginning of the year, while Zinc recorded for monthly price changes in the end of the year was highest .
In terms of price changes, a significant percentage of Nickel was recorded in January, at approximately 6%. However, the figures for copper and zinc were lower, at 2% and 1% respectively. Moreover, the proportion for zinc increased from 1% to 3% between January and February, before decreasing to -1% in June. Between July and September, the percentage of monthly changes in sales remained stable then its experienced a steeply increased and reached its peak at 2 percent in the end of the year.
For the remaining price changes , the percentage of Zinc plunged over 6 month period, at (-3) percent , then its increased steady and reached 1percent in the December. In addition, the price of copper showed a gradual
increase of about 0.5% throughout the period.
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
You have successfully identified the main features of the graph, such as the peak for nickel in January and the general trends for copper and zinc. However, the response lacks clarity in data reporting. For instance, you mention 'the percentage of monthly changes in sales', but the graph tracks price changes, not sales. Additionally, some data points are confusingly described, such as the 'plunged over 6 month period' for zinc, which makes it difficult for the reader to follow the specific trends. To improve, ensure you clearly distinguish between the three metals and provide more precise comparisons between them throughout the period.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use some cohesive devices like 'In terms of', 'However', and 'In addition' to link ideas. However, the flow is sometimes hindered by awkward phrasing and mechanical transitions. For example, the sentence 'Between July and September, the percentage of monthly changes in sales remained stable then its experienced a steeply increased' contains grammatical errors that disrupt the logical progression. Improving the use of referencing (e.g., avoiding 'its' when referring to a trend) and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences will help improve the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You have an adequate range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'increased', 'decreased', 'stable', and 'peak'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, 'proportion of monthly changes' is not the most precise way to describe price fluctuations. You also have some minor errors in word formation, such as 'increased steady' instead of 'increased steadily'. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise terminology related to data analysis, such as 'fluctuated', 'marginal', or 'significant', and ensure you use adverbs correctly to modify verbs.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is a good start. However, there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'its experienced' instead of 'it experienced'), incorrect use of articles, and awkward sentence construction (e.g., 'Zinc recorded for monthly price changes... was highest'). While these errors do not completely prevent understanding, they occur frequently enough to impact the overall accuracy of the response. Focusing on basic sentence structure and proofreading for subject-verb agreement will significantly improve your score.
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