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 graph illustrates the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.

Overall, nickel had the highest percentage in January 2014. Copper had the second highest proportion, and zinc had the lowest proportion in January. At the end, in December, these three types of metals reached similar prices.

First, in 2014, nickel had the highest percentage, like 6%, and copper had the second highest proportion, while zinc had the lowest percentage. Nickel price dropped slightly in February and also remained the same in march. Furthermore, copper price also decreased slightly in February, and both remained same in March and April. After rising in February, zinc price fell during March and April to 2% and 1.5%. Nickel dropped continuously to -3 in June and zinc also decreased in price to -1. Copper price slightly stable from March to June then increased to 1% in July, and the price remained unchanged from July to September. However, nickel slightly increased to -1 from July and remained stable from June to September. Also, zinc price increased a little and remained unchanged from June to September. All three metals slightly dropped in price in October, and both zinc and nickel roughly increased in price to 2% in November. Finally, at the end of the year in December, zinc and copper both continuously increased in price to 2% and 1.5%, but nickel remained stable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response provides a summary of the main features, but it struggles with accuracy and clarity. While you identify the starting points and some trends, the description of the data is often confusing. For instance, stating that the metals 'reached similar prices' at the end is inaccurate, as the graph shows percentage changes, not absolute prices. Additionally, the description of the trends is overly mechanical, listing month-by-month changes rather than grouping the data into clear, analytical trends. To improve, focus on identifying the most significant peaks and troughs and comparing the overall performance of the three metals rather than detailing every minor fluctuation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical (e.g., 'First', 'Furthermore', 'Also', 'Finally'). The progression of ideas is occasionally difficult to follow because the sentences focus on individual data points rather than synthesising the information into a coherent narrative. Referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly when describing the trends of the three metals simultaneously. Using a wider variety of linking words and focusing on grouping the data logically would improve the flow and coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the basic meaning, such as 'illustrated', 'decreased', 'remained stable', and 'increased'. However, there are issues with word choice and precision. For example, you use 'proportion' to describe percentage changes, which is technically inaccurate in this context. There is also a lack of variety in your descriptive language, leading to repetitive phrasing. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise terminology related to data trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'dipped', or 'remained constant', and ensure that your terminology accurately reflects the data provided in the graph.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Issues include incorrect article usage (e.g., 'in march' instead of 'in March'), missing prepositions, and awkward phrasing (e.g., 'Copper price slightly stable'). Some sentences are grammatically incomplete or lack proper subject-verb agreement. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to impact the overall clarity of the report. Focusing on consistent verb tenses and ensuring that each sentence has a clear subject and verb will help improve your accuracy.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.