Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-22

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 7.0)

The line graph illustrates the average monthly change in prices of copper, nickel and zinc throughout the year 2014.

Overall, it is clear that all three metals experienced noticeable price fluctuations over the year. While copper and nickel generally followed a downward trend, zinc witnessed a moderate overall increase.

Additionally, nickel exhibited the highest level of volatility.In January, nickel started at a high of 6%, significantly outperforming copper at 2% and zinc at 1%. However, nickel’s figure dropped dramatically, plunging to a low of -3% by June. In contrast, zinc saw a brief climb to 3% in February.

From March to May, all three commodities underwent a gradual decline, followed by a brief period of stabilization until September.During the final quarter, recovery trends were visible. From October onwards, nickel climbed from -2% to finish at 1% in December. Similarly, zinc rose from -1% to end at 2%. Meanwhile, copper prices experienced less dramatic shifts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the line graph showing the average monthly price changes for copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014. An overall trend is identified, although the generalisation regarding copper and nickel following a downward trend is somewhat inaccurate, as nickel recovered later in the year and copper remained relatively stable with positive and negative shifts. However, key features such as nickel's high volatility and starting peak at 6% in January, its drop to -3% in June, and subsequent recovery are well highlighted with accurate data points. Comparisons between the three metals are made effectively throughout the response, satisfying the requirements of the band descriptors well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is arranged coherently with a logical progression from an introductory overview to specific monthly and quarterly details. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different periods and trends. Cohesive devices such as 'While', 'Additionally', 'However', 'In contrast', and 'Meanwhile' are employed to connect ideas effectively, although a few minor spacing errors (e.g., 'volatility.In January') slightly detract from the presentation. Overall, the information flows logically and the relationship between ideas is clear.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate to good range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response, successfully employing terms such as 'fluctuations', 'volatility', 'outperforming', 'plunging', 'gradual decline', and 'stabilization'. Less common lexical items are used with some awareness of style and collocation, as seen in phrases like 'brief climb' and 'recovery trends'. There are occasional slight inaccuracies in word choice or interpretation of trends, but vocabulary use is sufficient to allow smooth communication of the data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response exhibits a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing dependent clauses and participial phrases effectively (e.g., 'While copper and nickel generally followed...', 'From March to May, all three commodities underwent...'). Grammatical accuracy is generally high, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Minor punctuation errors are present, such as missing spaces after periods (e.g., 'volatility.In' and 'September.During'), but these do not impede communication and demonstrate overall good control of grammar and punctuation.

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