Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-31

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 line illustrates the proportion of price change in the three metals such as copper, nickel and zinc in 2014.

Overall, all the metals showed a significant decline till June before increasing in their values. Copper had the highest percentage in January among the three metals, and showed a significant decrease over the period, while zinc had the lowest value in the beginning, and experienced a considerable growth and became the highest proportion in the end.

The nickel had the largest proportion among the three metals at 6% in January, and showed a dramatical decline till June before slightly increasing to 1% in December, became the lowest value in 2014. While zinc had the smallest percentage in the beginning, and experienced the same trend, decreasing from 1% to -1% in June before increasing to 2%in the end, became the largest percentage among the three metals.

The copper showed fluctuation, decreasing from 2% in January to just above -1% in the middle of the year before increasing to slightly at the same percentage at around 1.7% in December, 2014.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all parts of the task by identifying the main trends and making relevant comparisons between the three metals. You successfully highlighted the key features, such as the general decline until June and the subsequent recovery. However, the report could be improved by ensuring the data points are cited with greater precision. For instance, stating that nickel reached 1% in December is accurate, but the description of the trends could be more analytical by focusing on the 'volatility' or 'stability' of the metals rather than just listing the changes. Overall, you have provided a clear summary that meets the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that group the information effectively. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'while', and 'before' helps the reader follow the progression of ideas. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the paragraphing could be more balanced. For example, the final paragraph is quite short compared to the others. To reach a higher band, ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus and that the flow between sentences is more natural and less repetitive in structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the trends, such as 'significant decline', 'considerable growth', and 'fluctuation'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, 'dramatical decline' should be 'dramatic decline', and 'became the lowest value' is slightly awkward; 'reached its lowest point' would be more precise. Additionally, the phrase 'proportion of price change' is not the most natural way to describe the data; 'percentage change in price' would be more accurate. Expanding your range of descriptive adjectives and adverbs would enhance the sophistication of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. For example, 'The nickel had the largest...' (the definite article is unnecessary here), 'dramatical' (incorrect adjective form), and 'increasing to slightly at the same percentage' (awkward phrasing). There are also minor punctuation and preposition errors, such as '2%in the end'. While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more careful proofreading and a greater focus on sentence-level accuracy to move into the higher bands.

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

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