Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

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

Overall, it is clear that the graph shows fluctuation in their prices. Nickel and zinc decreased dramatically over the period as compared to copper which remained a moderate

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 6.0

The student addresses the main task by reporting on the monthly changes in prices for copper, nickel, and zinc throughout 2014, making relevant comparisons. An overview is attempted, noting that the graph shows fluctuation, though the summary that 'nickel and zinc decreased dramatically over the period as compared to copper which remained a moderate' is grammatically incomplete and slightly inaccurate, as zinc finished higher than it started. Key features are selected, such as nickel starting at a high of 6% in January and dropping to -3% in June, alongside references to the final quarter recovery trends. However, the development is slightly curtailed, and the abrupt ending of the second paragraph affects the overall clarity of the overview. Despite these minor issues, all three metals are covered with valid data points from the chart.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is arranged into four paragraphs, including a short introductory sentence and an overview, though the second paragraph cuts off mid-sentence ('remained a moderate'). Logical organization is generally maintained with paragraphing used to group periods of time, such as 'From March to May' and 'During the final quarter'. Cohesive devices are employed to signal transitions and contrasts, such as 'However', 'In contrast', 'Additionally', and 'Meanwhile'. While referencing is mostly clear, the logical flow is somewhat disrupted by the truncated second paragraph and slight lapses in overall cohesion between the overview and the body paragraphs.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, attempting less common items and lexical control associated with describing data trends, such as 'volatility', 'outperforming', 'plunging', 'stabilization', and 'recovery trends'. There are some inaccuracies and awkward collocations, most notably the incomplete sentence ending 'remained a moderate' and occasional phrasing issues. Nevertheless, the lexical resource is sufficient to convey the main features and comparisons of the line graph without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating subordinate clauses and prepositional phrases effectively in sentences like 'In January, nickel started at a high of 6%, significantly outperforming copper at 2% and zinc at 1%.' Grammatical control is generally decent, with correct use of past tense verbs for the 2014 data. However, there is a major structural error in the second paragraph where the sentence cuts off abruptly ('remained a moderate'), leaving a grammatical fragment. Other sentences are mostly accurate, but this structural lapse prevents the response from reaching a higher band.

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