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 the the graph showed fluctuation in prices of the three metals. Zinc remained highest from its beginning and finished lowest from all.
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
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The student provides a good overview of the main trends in the graph, noting the high volatility of nickel and the general patterns across the year. Key features are reported, such as nickel starting at 6% and dropping to -3% in June, and subsequent recoveries in the final quarter. However, the overview contains a factual inaccuracy regarding zinc: the student states that 'Zinc remained highest from its beginning and finished lowest from all,' which contradicts the visual data where zinc started at 1% and finished at 2%, neither being consistently the highest nor finishing the lowest overall. Despite this minor misinterpretation in the overview, the response successfully addresses the prompt by selecting, reporting, and comparing the main features.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory paragraph containing the overview, followed by body paragraphs that group information chronologically and by metal. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas. Cohesive devices are employed reasonably well to guide the reader through the data, such as 'Additionally,' 'However,' 'In contrast,' and 'Similarly.' However, there is a minor typographical error in the transition ('it is clear the the graph showed'), and referencing at times feels slightly mechanical, but overall the logical flow and paragraph structure are clear and easy to follow, supporting a solid Band 7.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms relevant to data trends such as 'fluctuation,' 'volatility,' 'plunging,' 'gradual decline,' 'stabilization,' and 'recovery trends.' Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style and collocation, as seen in phrases like 'significantly outperforming' and 'dramatic shifts.' Although there is a slight inaccuracy in the overview regarding the word 'highest,' the vocabulary used throughout the body paragraphs is precise enough to convey the data accurately. Errors are rare and do not impede communication, making this a clear Band 7 performance.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms effectively, incorporating subordinate clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'plunging to a low of -3% by June' and 'From October onwards, nickel climbed from -2% to finish at 1% in December'). There are frequent error-free sentences, and the control of grammar and punctuation is generally good. A minor typo occurs in the second sentence ('clear the the graph showed'), but this does not impede communication. Complex structures are handled with reasonable accuracy, justifying a Band 7 score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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