Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-23

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 given line graph illustrates the average monthly change in the prices of three metals, namely copper, zinc and nickel compared to previous month for the year 2014.

Overall, high fluctuations can be seen in all three metals. It can be seen that Nickel noted highest increase in the month of January whereas zinc had the lowest growth. However by the end of year Nickel remained at 1% whereas Zinc recorded higher percentage increase.

Nickel started at 6% rise in beginning of year which dropped to its lowest point in the month of june where it decreased by 3.5%. It remaned for the following three months and saw a drop again in october which than increased by 3% . Zinc on the other hand had 1% increase in january which rose to 3% next month and saw a significant drop in its prices till june. The cost saw growth till month of december where it reached 2%.

Copper lays between these two metals. It recorded 2% increase in January after which it saw a decline till the month of june where it obseved a decrease of 1%. By the month of december it had climbed upto 1.5%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making relevant comparisons across the three metals throughout 2014. An appropriate overview is provided, noting the high fluctuations and contrasting the starting and ending points. Key data points are generally accurate, such as Nickel's 6% start in January and the overall trends, though there are a few minor inaccuracies in specific monthly readings (e.g., stating Nickel dropped to 3.5% in June when the chart shows -3%, and minor misreadings of the trough in October). Nevertheless, the response covers the scope of the graph well, fulfilling the requirements for a Band 6.5 or 7.0 response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall progression and is divided into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by an overview, and then body paragraphs detailing individual trends. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as "Overall," "However," "Nickel on the other hand," and "Copper lays between these two metals." However, referencing is occasionally imprecise (e.g., "It remaned for the following three months" lacking a clear subject reference), and some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used sufficiently, resulting in a coherent and easily navigable structure that aligns with Band 6.0 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as "fluctuations," "percentage increase," "decline," and "growth." There are attempts to use less common vocabulary like "noted highest increase" and "significant drop." However, there are some word choice and collocation inaccuracies, such as "Nickel noted highest increase" (instead of "recorded the highest increase"), "Copper lays between" (instead of "lies"), and spelling errors like "remaned" and "obseved." Vocabulary is sufficient to communicate meaning clearly, placing this at a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as "The given line graph illustrates..." and "Nickel started at 6% rise... which dropped to its lowest point..." While there is good control over basic structures, several grammatical errors are present, including missing articles ("in month of june", "till month of december"), incorrect prepositions or verb forms ("than increased by 3%" instead of "then"), and punctuation/capitalization lapses. These errors do not impede communication, but they restrict the score to a solid Band 6.0.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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