Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-21

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 6.0)

The line graph compares the averagely monthly prices of the three type of metal mainly copper, nickel, and zinc throughout the year 2014.

Overall, all three metals have experienced an significant downward trend in price changes during the first half of the year, reaching to their lowest point in June. Moreover, they have recovered to varying degree in the second half of the year, with nickel showing the most frequent fluctuation.

At the beginning of the year, nickel saw the highest price increase at 6%, but dropped sharply over the next few months, bottoming out at -3% in the month of June. Similarly, zinc prices began with 1% increase, peaked slightly at 3% in February, and then fell steadily to -1% in June. Copper prices started with a 2% increase, which gradually declined to just above 0% in May, before go down to -0.5% in June.

In the second half of 2014, the price changes for all three metals recovered into positive figures expect slight sharp fall in the month of October. Copper rebounded to a stable 1% increase from July to September, ending the by slightly higher at 1.5% in December. Zinc and nickel both have experienced a dip in October before recovering in the final two months. By the end of the year zinc price were increase by 2% and nickel price finished with a rose of 1%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively covers the main features of the graph, including the downward trend in the first half of the year and the recovery in the second. You successfully identified key data points, such as the peak for nickel at 6% and the low points in June. The comparison between the three metals is clear and logical. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are described with complete accuracy; for instance, the description of copper's movement in May and June could be more precise. Overall, the response provides a clear overview and supports it with relevant data, meeting the requirements of the task well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on the two halves of the year. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'At the beginning of the year', and 'In the second half of 2014' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, there are minor issues with referencing and flow, such as 'ending the by slightly higher', which disrupts the cohesion slightly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the time periods, contributing to a clear progression of ideas throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'downward trend', 'fluctuation', 'bottoming out', and 'rebounded'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'averagely monthly prices' (should be 'average monthly prices') and 'finished with a rose of 1%' (should be 'finished with a rise of 1%'). While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Using more precise terminology for describing statistical changes would further enhance your lexical score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While many sentences are clear, there are several grammatical errors, particularly with verb forms and articles, such as 'three type of metal' (should be 'three types of metals'), 'zinc price were increase' (should be 'zinc prices increased'), and 'expect slight sharp fall' (should be 'except for a slight sharp fall'). These errors are frequent but do not prevent the reader from understanding the main points. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage when describing past data.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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