Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-21

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 7.5)

The line chart illustrates the monthly price fluctuations for copper, nickel, and zinc throughout the year 2014.

Overall, all three metals experienced notable price volatility over the twelve-month period. Nickel recorded the highest initial figures but saw the most dramatic decline, whereas zinc finished the year with the strongest upward trend.

At the beginning of the year, nickel started at a peak of 6%, significantly higher than zinc at 1%. However, nickel prices plummeted dramatically over the next two months, while zinc witnessed a minor climb between January and February. Copper, conversely, underwent a steady decline right from the outset. By March, all three commodities were on a downward trajectory, a trend that persisted until May.From June onward, their pathways diverged.

Nickel figures fell sharply, in stark contrast to copper prices, which stabilized. Between July and September, market trends for all metals remained relatively moderate. In the final quarter, nickel rallied from its lowest point of -2% to reach +1% by December. Similarly, zinc experienced a sudden surge, climbing from -1% to finish the year at approximately 2%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The student provides a clear overview of the line chart, highlighting overall volatility and distinct end trends for copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014. The main features are successfully reported, such as nickel's high initial figures followed by a dramatic drop, and zinc's upward trajectory towards the end of the year. Comparisons are made effectively across the metals. While some minor descriptive details regarding intermediate months contain slight inaccuracies compared to the raw data (e.g., copper starting at +2% rather than a steady decline right from the outset, and nickel dipping in May/June), the response covers all parts of the task well and establishes a clear summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression from introduction to overview, body paragraphs detailing trends, and a concluding summary of the final quarter. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct periods and metals. Cohesive devices are handled effectively, such as 'Overall', 'At the beginning of the year', 'However', 'conversely', and 'In the final quarter', ensuring smooth transitions between ideas and sentences without mechanical over-use.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to academic task 1 reporting, utilizing precise verbs and nouns such as 'fluctuations', 'volatility', 'plummeted', 'pathways diverged', 'stabilized', and 'surge'. Word choices and collocations are generally accurate and natural, though there are minor inaccuracies in interpreting the initial data trend for copper. Overall, the lexical range allows for precise and sophisticated descriptions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

A good variety of complex and compound sentence structures is used throughout the response, including subordinate clauses ('while zinc witnessed a minor climb', 'in stark contrast to copper prices, which stabilized'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and grammatical control over tense and punctuation is well-maintained. Minor slips do not impede communication, demonstrating a strong command of grammatical accuracy.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.