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 given line graph depicts the average monthly percentage change in the prices of copper, nickel and zinc throughout 2014.
it can be clearly seen that, all metals experienced a similar pattern of falling prices in the final half of the year, reaching a low point around june, before showing a slight recovery at the end of the year. nickel the most dramatic fluctuations.
in january, nickel prices had risen by 6% compared to previous months, which was significantly higher than copper at 2% and zinc 1%. by february, this figure for nickel had fallen to 1%, while zinc rose to 3%. from march to may, the prices changes for all three metals went down, with nickel and zinc both at around 1% and copper falling to -0.55 in may.
june was the lowest point, with nickel dropped sharply by -3%, while zinc and copper also saw negative change at -1% and -0.5% respectively.
from july to october, copper remained relatively stable with a 0.5% to 1% increase, whereas nickel and zinc stayed in negative territory at around -1%. in the final two months, all three metals saw a recovery, with zinc rising the most at 2% in december, followed by copper at 1.5% and nickel at 1%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response covers all parts of the task well. You have identified the main trends and provided relevant comparisons between the three metals. The overview is clear, and the data points are generally accurate. However, there is a minor inaccuracy in the description of the trends; for instance, you mention a low point in June, but the data shows fluctuations continuing throughout the year. To reach a higher band, ensure that the overview captures the most significant trends more precisely and avoid minor factual discrepancies when interpreting the graph. Overall, the response is well-structured and addresses the prompt effectively.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You use paragraphing effectively to separate the introduction, overview, and detailed body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'in january', 'by february', and 'from july to october' are used to guide the reader through the timeline. However, the transition between sentences could be smoother, and some cohesive devices feel slightly mechanical. To improve, try to vary the linking phrases and ensure that the relationship between sentences is more fluid. The referencing is generally clear, and the overall structure supports the information provided.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'fluctuations', 'negative territory', and 'recovery' appropriately. There are some minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'nickel the most dramatic fluctuations' (missing a verb) and 'prices changes' (should be 'price changes'). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for a higher band. To improve, focus on using more varied and precise collocations related to data description and ensure grammatical accuracy when using technical terms.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as missing verbs ('nickel the most dramatic fluctuations'), incorrect verb forms ('with nickel dropped sharply'), and punctuation issues (lack of capitalization at the start of sentences). These errors do not impede communication, but they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement and ensure that all sentences are complete and correctly punctuated. Proofreading for basic grammatical slips would significantly enhance the quality of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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