Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)
The line graph illustrates changes in the average monthly prices across three metals, namely copper, nickel, and zinc, over the period from January to December 2014.
Overall, it is evident that the figures followed varying trends over the given period, with some prices increasing, while others declined or fluctuated. Nickel fluctuated significantly throughout the given period. However, both copper and zinc fluctuated slightly during 2014.
Looking at the details, copper stood at roughly 2% in January and fluctuated slightly before reaching approximately 1% between July and September, after which it increased slowly to approximately 1.75% by the end of the period. Moreover, zinc started at around 1% in January and then rose to approximately 3% in February. Thereafter, it decreased gradually to roughly -1% in June and then increased steadily to around 2% by the end of the period.
In January, nickel started at 6%, after which it fell dramatically to approximately 1% in March, and then decreased sharply to roughly -3% in June. Subsequently, it increased considerably to around 1% in November. However, it remained relatively stable by the end of the period.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student covers all parts of the task well, providing an accurate overview and selecting key features for copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014. The data reported, such as nickel starting at 6% in January and falling to -3% in June, aligns closely with the provided graph. The comparisons between the metals' stability (copper and zinc fluctuating slightly compared to nickel's dramatic swings) are well-made. The response presents a clear and coherent summary without any significant omissions or inaccurate data, satisfying the requirements for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory statement, moves to an effective overview paragraph, and then separates the body details logically by metal categories (copper and zinc grouped together, followed by a dedicated paragraph for nickel). Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Looking at the details', 'Moreover', and 'Subsequently' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is handled effectively, ensuring each section serves a distinct purpose in summarizing the visual information.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.5
The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited for Task 1, employing precise verbs and adverbs to describe trends effectively. Examples include 'fluctuated significantly', 'rose', 'decreased gradually', and 'fell dramatically'. While there is some repetition of common descriptive words like 'fluctuated' and 'increased', the terminology is accurate and appropriately applied to economic data. Word choices are natural and support clear communication throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The text displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as introductory prepositional phrases and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'after which it fell dramatically...', 'while others declined or fluctuated'). Grammatical control is strong, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation and tense usage (past simple consistently applied) are accurate, allowing the reader to follow the historical data without any hindrance. Minor slips are virtually absent.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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