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 moderate
Nickel starts with 6% which is highest from all above , in contrast to copper and zinc which is 2% and 1% respectively. While copper declined gradually with respect to nickel which fell sharply from 6% to 1% at March. Consequently zinc saw a sudden boost but it also decreased steadily.
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 | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student attempts to summarise the main features of the line graph showing monthly percentage price changes for copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014. The overview provided in the second paragraph is somewhat flawed, as stating that nickel and zinc 'decreased dramatically over the period as compared to copper which remained moderate' is not entirely accurate given their final recoveries and fluctuations. Furthermore, some data points are misread or vague, such as claiming nickel fell sharply to 1% in March when the graph shows it at 1%. However, the student does successfully identify several key trends, initial figures, and end-of-year recoveries across the commodities. While the response contains some inaccuracies in data interpretation and a weak overview, it covers the main elements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is structured into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs dealing with different time periods. However, the logical progression is occasionally disrupted by confusing comparisons and imprecise cohesive links. Phrases such as 'While copper declined gradually with respect to nickel which fell sharply' are grammatically and logically awkward, making the relationship between the trends hard to follow. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of information is disjointed, particularly in the second paragraph where multiple comparisons are crowded together without clear signposting.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common items such as 'fluctuation', 'stabilization', and 'recovery trends'. However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'highest from all above' instead of 'highest of all', and 'saw a sudden boost' which is slightly informal. Spelling is generally accurate, but the limited precision and occasional awkward collocations restrict the score to the mid-band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, though attempts at complex structures frequently result in grammatical errors. For example, 'Nickel starts with 6% which is highest from all above , in contrast to copper and zinc which is 2% and 1% respectively' contains punctuation errors and subject-verb agreement issues ('which is' instead of 'which were'). Preposition usage is also problematic in places ('starts with 6%'). While these errors do not completely obscure meaning, they occur frequently enough to impede smooth reading.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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