Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-07-30

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 8.5)

The line graph compares the average monthly percentage change in the prices of copper, nickel and zinc over the course of 2014.

Overall, nickel experienced the greatest fluctuations, while copper remained the most stable throughout the year. All three metals saw a general downward trend during the first half of the year before recovering towards the end.

At the beginning of the year, nickel recorded the highest monthly price increase, at 6% in January. However, this figure declined sharply to 4% in February and then to 1% in March, remaining close to this level until May. In June, nickel experienced a dramatic fall to -3%, the lowest value on the chart. It recovered slightly to around -1% between July and September, dipped to -2% in October, and then rose steadily to approximately 1% in December.

Copper showed comparatively minor changes throughout the year. It began with a 2% increase in January before gradually falling to around 0.5% by April. The figure became slightly negative in June, at about -0.5%, before recovering to approximately 1% from July to September. It then declined marginally in October and finished the year at around 1.5%.

Similarly, zinc started the year with a 1% increase and reached a peak of 3% in February. Thereafter, its monthly price changes declined steadily, reaching approximately -1% in June. Although zinc remained slightly below zero during the following months, it rebounded strongly in the final two months, ending the year at around 2%, the highest increase among the three metals in December.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully selected key data points to illustrate the fluctuations of the three metals. The comparisons between copper, nickel, and zinc are well-integrated throughout the body paragraphs, particularly when noting that nickel experienced the most volatility while copper remained relatively stable. The data is accurately reported, and the summary captures the essential features of the graph without unnecessary detail. This is a comprehensive and well-structured response that fully meets the requirements of an Academic Task 1 report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from the overview to specific details for each metal. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Similarly', 'Thereafter', and 'Although' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas, ensuring the text flows smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and the detailed analysis of each metal. The information is presented in a way that is easy to follow, and the referencing between the different metals is clear throughout the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends and fluctuations accurately. Phrases such as 'greatest fluctuations', 'remained the most stable', 'declined sharply', and 'rebounded strongly' demonstrate a good command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic report. While the range is solid, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms for 'increase' or 'decrease' (such as 'surged', 'plummeted', or 'marginal fluctuations') could elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical control is strong, and there are no errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('Although zinc remained slightly below zero...') and participial phrases. The grammar is highly accurate, with very few, if any, errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of the writing. The control over tense and aspect is consistent, and the sentence construction is varied enough to maintain the reader's interest. The writing is fluent, and the grammatical accuracy is consistent with a high-level performance.

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