Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-04

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 chart demonstrates the monthly percantage changes in the price of copper, nickel and zinc compared with the previous month in 2014.

Overall, nickel experienced by far the most significant fluctuations, while copper showed the greatest stability. All three metals underwent a decline during the middle of the year, followed by a noticeable recovery in the latter months of the year.

In January, nickel recorded the highest increase at approximately 6%, compared with 2% for copper and 1% for zinc. However, nickel's figure fell sharply to around 1% in March and remained close to this level until May, before plunging to -3% in June. Zinc also declined steadily after peaking at about 3% in February, reaching approximately -1% in June. Meanwhile, copper illustrated variations only slightly, falling from 2% in January to around -0.5% in May.

From July to September, copper remained relatively stable at about 1%, whereas nickel and zinc stayed slighly below zero. In October, nickel and zinc fell around -2% and -1% respectively. Nevertheless, all three recovered in November. By December, zinc recorded the largest increase, at roughly 2.5%, followed by copper and nickel at around 1% each.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview that highlights the main trends, such as nickel's volatility and copper's relative stability. The selection of data is appropriate, and you have successfully made comparisons between the three metals throughout the year. The key features are well-supported by specific data points from the graph, such as the peak in January and the mid-year decline. The information is accurate and logically presented, meeting the requirements for a Band 8.0 performance in this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, and the detailed body paragraphs. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'However', 'Meanwhile', and 'Nevertheless', to link sentences and ideas smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the specific data analysis. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends and fluctuations, such as 'significant fluctuations', 'underwent a decline', 'plunging', and 'recorded the largest increase'. The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic report. While there is a minor spelling error ('percantage' instead of 'percentage'), it does not impede communication. You demonstrate a good awareness of collocation and style, which allows for a clear and professional presentation of the data. The range is flexible enough to convey the information accurately and with some sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('followed by a noticeable recovery') and comparative clauses. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over grammar and punctuation is strong. There are very few minor slips, such as 'copper illustrated variations only slightly', which is slightly awkward phrasing, but these do not detract from the overall clarity of the writing. The grammatical accuracy is consistent throughout the text, supporting a high band score.

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