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 graph given illustrates the average monthly alternate in the prices of three metals during 2014. Overall, the graph shows that all of the three metals exhibit decline in the average prices throughout the year. Nickel, among all of three metals shows a striking drop in the prices as it stands at 6% in January, then drops to 4% in February, yet, significantly delines to 1% in March. As compared to nickel, zinc depicts a striking elevation in price % in January and February, strikingly declines constantly till June. From February to May, nickel, constantly demonstrates a steady decline in the average %prices and again a striking fall in the cost ,draws it towards negative trends in June. In July, nickel's price elevates a bit and remains constant till September, furthermore, prices of nickel steadily dropped to -2% in October, yet, dramatically increase again in November and stand still till December. In comparison to it, zinc showsa steady rise in prices till October. Again in October, zinc prices gets hike visibly and increases till December. Copper, in contrast to both of other metals shows a regular steady rise and fall in the average costs.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers the main features of the graph, including the overall downward trend and specific fluctuations for each metal. However, the analysis is somewhat repetitive and lacks a clear, structured comparison. While you identified the main trends, the description of the data points is occasionally confusing, particularly regarding the specific months and price changes. To improve, ensure you group the data more logically—perhaps by comparing the metals' performance in the first half of the year versus the second—rather than listing them sequentially. This would provide a more analytical overview rather than just a chronological narrative.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay lacks paragraphing, which makes the text appear as a dense block of information. While there is a logical progression, the lack of clear paragraph breaks makes it difficult for the reader to follow the transition between the different metals. You use some cohesive devices like 'In comparison to it' and 'furthermore', but these are sometimes used mechanically or inappropriately. To reach a higher band, you must use paragraphing to separate the overview from the detailed body paragraphs and ensure that cohesive devices are used to link ideas naturally rather than just acting as sentence starters.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You have a decent range of vocabulary, such as 'striking drop', 'elevation', and 'negative trends'. However, there are several instances of awkward word choices and collocations, such as 'average monthly alternate' (instead of 'change' or 'fluctuation') and 'price %' (which is informal and imprecise). There are also minor errors in word formation, such as 'delines' and 'showsa'. To improve, focus on using more precise academic terminology and ensure that your word choices are natural in the context of describing statistical data.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. For example, 'Nickel, among all of three metals shows' has a subject-verb agreement issue and missing articles. Additionally, 'zinc prices gets hike' is grammatically incorrect. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. You should focus on subject-verb agreement, correct article usage, and ensuring that your sentence structures are grammatically sound.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.