Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-29

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 provided line graph illustrates the change in price of three metals namely, copper, nickel and zinc on a monthly basis in 2014.

Overall, the price of nickel and copper dropped while the price of zinc increased at the end of the year. Furthermore, a trend is also observed as the price of all three metal prices were lowest in June.

The detailed analysis of the graph showcases the fall in the price of nickel as it slumped from 6% in January to -3% in June but bounced back to 1% in December. Similarly, the price of copper also decreased significantly from 2% in January to -0.5% in June but also decide to bounce back to 1.5% at the end of the year.

Although, the price of zinc skyrocketed in the February reaching 3%, it dropped back reaching -1% in June but unlike copper and nickel, it bounced back to 2% at the end of December which is higher than where it started(1%) in January.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all parts of the task well. You have successfully identified the main features, such as the overall downward trend for nickel and copper and the specific recovery of zinc. The comparisons between the metals are clear, particularly in the final paragraph where you contrast zinc's performance with the others. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are accurate; for instance, the graph shows nickel starting at 6% and ending at 1%, but your description of the June low at -3% is accurate. The overview is concise and effectively highlights the key trends, meeting the requirements for a well-developed summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Similarly', and 'Although' to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed analysis. However, some transitions could be more sophisticated to improve the flow. For example, the phrase 'a trend is also observed as the price of all three metal prices were lowest in June' is a bit clunky. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear, and the use of referencing is generally effective throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends, using terms like 'slumped', 'bounced back', and 'skyrocketed'. These choices are appropriate for a task of this nature. There are some minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'decide to bounce back', where 'decide' is an inappropriate verb for inanimate objects like metal prices. Additionally, the phrase 'three metal prices' is slightly redundant. Despite these minor inaccuracies, the vocabulary is precise enough to convey the intended meaning clearly and effectively without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of 'although' clauses to contrast data. There are some grammatical slips, such as 'all three metal prices were lowest' (should be 'the prices of all three metals were at their lowest') and the missing article in 'reaching 3%'. The punctuation is generally accurate, though there is a missing space after the parenthesis in 'January(1%)'. While there are occasional errors, they do not impede the reader's understanding of the data. Increasing the variety of complex structures would help elevate this score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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