Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-24
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 7.5)
The line graph compares the average monthly percentage change in prices of three metals, namely copper, nickel and zinc, over the course of 2014.
Overall, all three metals experienced a sharp decline in prices from January to June, followed by a period of relative stability and a slight recovery towards the end of the year. Nickel showed the most dramatic fluctuations, while copper remained the most stable.
In January, zinc prices saw the sharpest increase of around 6%, while nickel and copper rose by approximately 2% and 1% respectively. However, this upward trend was short-lived. By June, all three metals reached their lowest points. Nickel dropped to about - 3%, zinc to -2%, and copper to just below 0%.
From July to October, the prices of all metals fluctuated between -1% and 1%. In the final two months, there was a modest recovery across the board. By December, copper and zinc both rose to around 2%, whereas nickel increased to about 1%.
In conclusion, although all metals followed a similar downward then stabilizing pattern, zinc was the most volatile at the start, and nickel experienced the deepest fall
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively covers all requirements of the task. You have successfully identified the main trends, such as the initial peak, the mid-year decline, and the final recovery. The comparisons between the three metals are clear and relevant, particularly when noting the volatility of zinc versus the stability of copper. The overview is well-constructed and provides a clear summary of the data trends. You have selected key features appropriately and supported them with specific data points from the graph, such as the 6% increase for zinc in January and the -3% low for nickel in June. This demonstrates a strong ability to report on visual data accurately.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the trends. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In January', 'However', and 'In the final two months' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next. There is a good balance between general trends and specific data points, ensuring the response remains coherent throughout.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends and fluctuations, such as 'sharp decline', 'relative stability', 'dramatic fluctuations', and 'modest recovery'. The terminology is precise and appropriate for an academic report. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common synonyms to describe the intensity of the changes, but the current range is already quite effective for conveying the information clearly and accurately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'Although all metals followed a similar downward then stabilizing pattern, zinc was the most volatile at the start'. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentence structure is varied. There are no major grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text, which contributes to the overall clarity and professional tone of the report.
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