Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-29

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 graph illustrates the average monthly price change of three different mentals in the year 2014.

Overall, nickel showed a downward trend with the most declining ratio, showing a definite decrease in price while others such as copper and zinc remained almost identical from the start till the end of period.

First one comprises of the metal with the most frequent change, nickel, which was typically 6% at the beginning of january, conversely having an absolute fall onto -3 in the month of june. Afterwards, it started to rise with moderate downfalls in trends between years before december where the price ranges about 1% differing from the pervious month.

Second one is copper, showing 2% shift in price compared with the past month at the start, thus flowing with a moderate trend pattern and contributes 1.5% as an increase in price from the last month.

Last one consists of the metal zinc which represented 1% , while moving with a higher pattern resulting a 3% in February, however after that it caused a downward trend and rose again in december with an average proportion of 2% as some change in its price pattern.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student covers all three metals presented in the graph and attempts to provide an overview and key features. However, there are some inaccuracies in reporting the data. For instance, stating that nickel showed a downward trend with 'the most declining ratio' is partially true for the second half of the year, but nickel actually began at a high of 6% in January. Furthermore, the claim that copper and zinc 'remained almost identical from the start till the end of period' is inaccurate, as zinc fluctuated between 1% and 3% and copper also showed variations. The overview is somewhat flawed due to these misinterpretations. Therefore, the response addresses the task but has weaknesses in data selection and accuracy, fitting the Band 5.5 to 6.0 profile well.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The text is structured into a distinct introduction, an overall statement, and separate body paragraphs for each metal, which gives the response a coherent overall arrangement. Paragraphing is attempted adequately. However, the progression between sentences and within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical and awkward, relying heavily on ordinal markers and rigid framing such as 'First one comprises of...', 'Second one is...', and 'Last one consists of...'. Cohesive devices are occasionally inaccurate or unnatural. Referencing is generally understandable, but the flow is disrupted by these clunky structural transitions. Overall, this level of organization and cohesive control aligns with a Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, attempting some less common lexical items such as 'proportion', 'fluctuating' (implied), and 'downfalls'. However, there are noticeable spelling and word choice errors, including 'mentals' instead of 'metals', 'pervious' instead of 'previous', and awkward collocations like 'absolute fall onto -3' and 'most declining ratio'. These errors do not seriously impede communication because the general meaning remains clear, but they restrict the lexical score. The range is sufficient to meet the basic demands of Task 1, earning a Band 5.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some variety in sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'which was typically 6% at the beginning of january, conversely having an absolute fall onto -3', and 'contributes 1.5% as an increase in price'. Punctuation and preposition use are occasionally faulty ('in the month of june', 'onto -3'). While these errors do not completely obscure the meaning, they occur frequently enough to prevent the response from reaching Band 6.0. The control of grammar is consistent with a Band 5.5.

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

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