Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-02

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 shows the average monthly percentage change in the prices of copper, nickel and zinc compared with the previous month in 2014.

Overall, nickel experienced the most noticeable changes during the year, while copper was comparatively stable. All three metals saw a fall around June, followed by a recovery towards the end of the year.

At the beginning of the year, the price of nickel increased by 6% in January, which was the highest figure on the graph. This was followed by a sharp fall to 4% in February and around 1% in March and April. In June, nickel reached its lowest point at approximately -3%. It then recovered slightly and remained below zero until October, before rising to about 1.5% in November and 1.7% in December.

Copper started at 2% in January and gradually declined to below zero in May and June. However, its price then increased steadily, reaching around 1.5% in September, before ending the year at just over 2%.

Zinc followed a different pattern. It rose from 1% in January to 3% in February, then generally declined until reaching about -0.7% in June. After remaining close to zero during the summer, it rose sharply to approximately 2.7% in December.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by providing a clear summary of the main features and trends in the line graph. The overview is well-crafted, capturing the overall volatility of nickel compared to copper and highlighting the shared downward trend around June followed by a late-year recovery. Specific details, such as nickel starting at 6% in January and copper ending at just over 2%, are accurately reported and supported by the visual data. While some minor data approximations are present—such as noting zinc reaching 2.7% in December when the line sits slightly lower—the key comparisons and trends are well developed throughout the report. To reach the highest bands, the response could incorporate a slightly more nuanced analysis of the minor fluctuations across all three series without missing subtle trend shifts.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The report demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression from start to finish. The introduction accurately paraphrases the prompt, and the second paragraph establishes an effective global overview before the body paragraphs detail each metal individually. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately to guide the reader through the data, such as 'Overall', 'At the beginning of the year', 'However', and 'Zinc followed a different pattern'. Paragraphing is well managed, with each metal assigned a dedicated and logical section of the text. Referencing is consistently clear. To push into higher bands, the use of cohesive links could feel even more seamless and less reliant on standard chronological connectors.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The writer demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with good flexibility and precision, suitable for an Academic Task 1 response. Less common lexical items and phrasing related to data trends are used effectively, such as 'comparatively stable', 'gradually declined', and 'reached its lowest point'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, and vocabulary like 'volatility' or precise descriptive verbs are handled well. There are occasional minor inaccuracies in word choice or expression, but these do not impede communication. To achieve an even higher band, the student could incorporate a wider variety of sophisticated synonyms and less common academic collocation patterns to describe degree and speed.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures alongside simple forms, resulting in frequent error-free sentences. The writer demonstrates strong control over grammatical structures and punctuation, correctly handling past tense verbs and percentage figures in temporal contexts, as seen in sentences like 'At the beginning of the year, the price of nickel increased by 6% in January, which was the highest figure on the graph.' Minor grammatical or structural slips persist occasionally, but they never impede communication or obscure the intended meaning. To reach the highest tier, the writer could introduce even more advanced syntactic variety, such as participial phrases or inverted structures, while maintaining absolute error-free precision.

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

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