Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-28
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 average change in prices of three metals on monthly basis during the year 2014.
Overall, nickel was recorded as the most expensive metal at the start of the period which hit the the lowest point before gaining back some upward momentum by the end of period. Copper experienced fluctuations throughout the year while zinc saw an up-trend initially but saw a decline afterwards and ended up at a high point.
Nickel was priced at 6% in January while obeserving a steap decline till June hitting the lowest point. It further observed certain fluctuations till October before surging to 1% and ended at a low point among all by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, copper and zinc intercepted each other at certain points by initally priced at 1% and 2% respectively. Zinc saw a small increase till 3% which was its highest point while observing decrease and fluctuations till October. However, its price reached the highest in December at 3%. Copper saw variation of price througout the given period and ended at approximately 1.5%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The response successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making relevant comparisons across the three metals. The overview captures the overall trajectories well, noting that nickel experienced a sharp decline and recovery, copper fluctuated, and zinc showed an upward trend by the end. However, there are some misinterpretations of the chart data; for instance, the student states that nickel 'hit the lowest point' and ended 'at a low point among all', whereas the chart shows nickel fluctuating around -1% to -2% in the second half of the year, while copper and zinc also had negative periods. Similarly, describing nickel as 'priced at 6%' confuses the percentage change metric on the y-axis with absolute price. Despite these minor data inaccuracies, the response addresses the prompt effectively.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5
The essay is logically organized into four paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by a clear overview, and two body paragraphs dedicated to detailing the trends of the metals. Cohesive devices are used adequately to guide the reader, such as 'Overall', 'Meanwhile', and 'However'. Paragraphing is logical and appropriate for an academic report. While referencing and cohesive links generally function well, the progression within body paragraphs occasionally feels slightly disjointed due to the dense grouping of multiple data points, but the overall arrangement remains coherent.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing graphical data, utilizing terms such as 'fluctuations', 'upward momentum', 'surging', and 'decline'. However, there are noticeable word choice inaccuracies and misapplications of data terminology, such as referring to percentage changes as 'priced at 6%' and misspelling words like 'obeserving' and 'steap'. There are also awkward phrasings like 'by initally priced at'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, these lexical errors prevent the response from achieving a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response incorporates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at subordination and relative clauses ('which hit the lowest point', 'while observing decrease'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward structures throughout the text, such as 'average change in prices' (missing article), 'on monthly basis' (missing article), and dangling modifiers in sentences like 'Meanwhile, copper and zinc intercepted each other at certain points by initally priced at 1% and 2% respectively.' Punctuation is generally acceptable, but frequent minor errors in grammar and prepositions slightly hinder readability.
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