Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

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

Overall, it is clear that the graph showed fluctuation in their prices. Nickel and zinc decreased dramatically over the period as compared to copper which remain a little fluctuate.

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 7.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making relevant comparisons across the three metals throughout 2014. The overview accurately identifies general trends, such as the overall fluctuation and the greater volatility in nickel and zinc compared to copper. Key data points are correctly cited from the graph, including nickel's high starting point of 6% in January and its subsequent drop to -3% in June. While some trends are generalised slightly, the overall coverage is clear, accurate, and well-supported by the visual data, fulfilling the requirements for Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organised into four paragraphs, providing a clear overall progression from the introduction and overview to specific body paragraphs detailing monthly trends. Cohesive devices such as 'Additionally', 'However', 'In contrast', and 'Meanwhile' are used reasonably well to signal shifts between ideas and timeframes. However, paragraphing could be slightly tighter, and referencing is occasionally a bit repetitive. Overall organisation is clear throughout, supporting a Band 7.0 score.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task 1 response, incorporating terms like 'volatility', 'outperforming', 'plunging', 'stabilization', and 'recovery trends'. There are some minor lexical inaccuracies or awkward collocations, such as 'remain a little fluctuate' instead of 'remained relatively stable' or 'subject to minor fluctuations'. Nevertheless, the vocabulary used allows for adequate precision in describing trends and changes, placing this response securely in Band 6.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with varying degrees of success. There are a few noticeable grammatical errors, such as 'The line graph illustrate' (subject-verb agreement error) and 'copper which remain a little fluctuate' (tense and word form errors). Despite these errors, communication is rarely impeded, and the majority of sentences are understandable. Complex structures are attempted successfully in places, such as 'In January, nickel started at a high of 6%, significantly outperforming copper at 2% and zinc at 1%.' This performance aligns with Band 6.0 descriptors.

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