Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-02
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 illustrates the average monthly percentage change in the prices of three metals—copper, nickel and zinc—throughout 2014, compared with the previous month.
Overall, nickel experienced the greatest fluctuations in price over the year, whereas copper showed the most stable trend. All three metals recorded a decline in the middle of the year before recovering towards the end of 2014.
At the beginning of the year, nickel had the highest monthly price increase, at around 6% in January. However, this figure fell sharply to approximately 1% by May and then dropped dramatically to about -3% in June, the lowest point on the chart. After that, nickel remained relatively stable at around -1% from July to September before declining slightly again in October. It recovered to roughly 1% in both November and December.
Copper, by contrast, changed much less throughout the year. It started with a rise of about 2% in January before gradually declining to around 0.5% in April and falling slightly below zero in June. From July onwards, the monthly change remained fairly steady at approximately 1%, finishing the year at a similar level.
Zinc followed a similar pattern to copper but showed greater variation. Its monthly price change rose to about 3% in February before declining steadily and turning negative in June. Although it remained close to zero during the following months, zinc increased noticeably in the final two months, ending the year at around 2%, the highest among the three metals in December.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response effectively covers all requirements of the task. You have successfully identified the main features of the graph, including the overall trends and specific data points for each metal. The comparison between the three metals is clear and well-integrated throughout the report. The overview provided in the second paragraph accurately captures the key differences in volatility between nickel and copper, and the subsequent paragraphs provide sufficient detail to support these observations. The data is reported accurately, and the selection of information is logical and relevant to the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the data, which helps the reader follow the analysis easily. Cohesive devices such as 'by contrast', 'after that', and 'although' are used effectively to link ideas and compare the trends. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the general overview and the detailed body paragraphs is smooth. The information is presented in a way that makes the relationships between the different metals clear and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You have used a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing trends and data, such as 'fluctuations', 'stable trend', 'fell sharply', and 'declining steadily'. The language is precise and natural, allowing for a clear description of the graph. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. You demonstrate a good ability to use varied terminology to avoid repetition, which contributes to the overall clarity and professional tone of the report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The response demonstrates a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences, with a high degree of accuracy. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. There are no noticeable grammatical errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.
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