Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)
The graph below compares the average monthly percentage change in the prices of copper, nickel and zinc in 2014.
Overall, the average monthly change in price of copper, nickel and zinc fluctuated throughout 2014. However, nickel experienced the greatest flunctuation.
In January, the average monthly percentage change in price of nickel peaked at almost 6% and fell to nearly 1% in march. The mean percentage change in price of zinc grew from 1% in January to around 3% in February before it fell dramatically to roughly -1% in June. Also, the monthly percentage change in price of nickel droped significantly in June to about -3 %. Meanwhile, the mean percentage change in price of copper declined steadily from about 2% in January to nearly 0% in June.
In July, the monthly percentage change of nickel recovered and remained at the same level till september before it fell slightly in October. Similarly the average monthly change in prices of copper and zinc remained stable from June till September. In October the percentage change in price of zinc overtook copper and became the highest proportion in December which stood at about 2% , followed by copper and nickel which was almost 1%
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response covers all three metals and provides a clear overview of the trends. You successfully identified the main features, such as the peak in nickel prices and the general fluctuations. However, the analysis is slightly hindered by some inaccuracies in data reporting. For instance, you mention nickel fell to 1% in March, but the graph shows it was closer to 0%. Additionally, the description of the final months is a bit confusing regarding the relative positions of the metals. To improve, ensure that your data points are more precise and that comparisons between the three metals are explicitly stated rather than just listed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, moving from an overview to specific time periods. You use cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'Similarly', and 'In July' to guide the reader through the data. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing in the final paragraph is a bit ambiguous, making it difficult to follow the comparison between the three metals. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that the subject of each sentence is clearly defined would enhance the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends, using terms like 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'declined steadily', and 'recovered'. There are some spelling errors, such as 'flunctuation' and 'droped', which are minor but noticeable. You also rely on repetitive phrasing like 'average monthly percentage change in price of'. To reach a higher band, try to vary your vocabulary by using synonyms or more concise ways to refer to the data, and ensure that you proofread for basic spelling accuracy.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical slips, such as missing articles ('in march', 'in september') and punctuation errors (e.g., the space before the percentage sign in '3 %'). The sentence structure is functional, but there is a lack of more sophisticated complex structures that would demonstrate a wider range. Focusing on consistent subject-verb agreement and correct article usage will help improve your accuracy and overall control of grammar.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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