Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)
The line graph illustrates the average monthly volatility in prices of three metals namely; copper, nickel and zinc in the year 2014.
Overall, Nickel had the greatest fluctuations in price throughout the year and it began at the highest percentage but ended with the lowest figure. By contrast, Copper was more stable in price changes, while Zinc showed some mild fluctuations.
Nickel started off with the highest percentage change (6%) in January but plummeted to negative 3% in June, the lowest figure on the chart. However, it rose quickly to negative 1% in July and plateaued at this level for the next two months before experiencing another drop (-2%) in October. Nevertheless, in the following month, it increased to positive 1% and remained the same in the last month as well.
On the other hand, Zinc began with the lowest (1%) percentage in January and reached 3% in February before showing slight declines in the following months until June (-1%). It hovered around that percentage until October before experiencing a sharp increase to 2% by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Copper's price change was the most stable among three metals. It started off with 2% but faced mild decline reaching under 0 in May-June before a stable rise in the following months and ending the year with 1.5% change in price.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response effectively covers all requirements of the task. You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the price changes for copper, nickel, and zinc. The selection of data is accurate, and you have made relevant comparisons between the metals, such as noting that nickel had the greatest fluctuations while copper remained the most stable. The information is well-supported by specific figures from the graph. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points mentioned are clearly supported by the visual evidence, as some descriptions of the 'plateau' or 'hovering' could be even more precisely linked to the specific months shown on the x-axis.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the information effectively. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'By contrast', 'However', 'Nevertheless', and 'On the other hand' to link sentences and ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different metals and their trends. The flow of information is easy to follow, and the relationship between the different parts of the graph is clearly articulated throughout the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing trends and data, such as 'volatility', 'plummeted', 'plateaued', and 'fluctuations'. The use of these terms is generally accurate and adds precision to your report. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To improve further, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or varied ways to describe changes, such as 'witnessed a marginal decline' or 'experienced a significant recovery', to show even greater flexibility and control over your lexical choices.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is generally good. There are minor slips, such as the unnecessary semicolon after 'namely' in the introduction and the phrasing 'among three metals' which should be 'among the three metals'. However, these are rare and do not interfere with the clarity of your writing. You show a good command of tense and structure, which allows for the clear communication of the data trends throughout the report.
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