Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-03

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 chart depicts the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.

Overall, the graph contains information on copper, nickel, and zinc. The major change can be seen in the price of nickel, as there is a major decline from January to March, and it fluctuates throughout the year. Copper and zinc show a steady change compared to nickel. There is a very small difference in the prices of copper and zinc in January and December, while nickel shows a dramatic difference.

From January to February, nickel shows a sharp decline from 6% to 4%, while the price of zinc metal surged from 1% to 3%. The price of copper slightly decreased in the first two months. Moreover, from February, the prices of all three metals kept decreasing till March. Later, from March to May, there is a relatively small change in the prices, and the percentage is heading towards negative figures. A huge decline in the price of nickel and zinc from May to June is shown. The prices of nickel and zinc decreased from 1 to -3 and -1, respectively.

After the middle of the year, the prices became relatively stable. Nickel still shows some large fluctuations. From June to July, both nickel and copper show an increase of about 2%, whereas zinc shows very little growth. Moving from July to September, all three metals show no change in prices. In the final months from September to December, there are some minor changes in prices.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features and trends of the three metals throughout 2014, successfully meeting the word count requirement after excluding prompt-copied material. An overview is provided, highlighting the general stability of copper and zinc compared to the volatility of nickel. However, some parts of the task are developed more fully than others, and certain details are slightly inaccurate or under-developed. For instance, the student states that from January to February nickel shows a sharp decline from 6% to 4%, whereas the chart indicates it went from 6% down to 4% and then further, but the student's breakdown misses some nuances of the trajectory. Moreover, stating that all three metals show no change from July to September is a slight oversimplification of the flat trends. To reach a higher band, the response would need to select and support key features with greater precision and provide a more fully developed overview.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from the introduction through body paragraphs to the final months of the year. Paragraphing is used adequately to group information chronologically. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical or slightly faulty in referencing. For example, transitional phrases like 'Moreover' and 'Later, from March to May' are used to link sentences, but the referencing of data points across clauses occasionally feels disjointed, as seen in the sentence 'The prices of nickel and zinc decreased from 1 to -3 and -1, respectively,' where the coordinate values require tighter integration. To achieve a higher level of cohesion, the writer should employ more fluid and sophisticated transitional devices and ensure that referencing between sentences is entirely seamless without relying on formulaic connectors.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying basic trends using terms such as 'fluctuates', 'decline', 'surged', and 'stable'. The writer attempts less common vocabulary with some degree of success, such as 'dramatic difference' and 'relatively small change'. Nevertheless, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation that prevent a higher score, such as saying 'the price of zinc metal surged' (redundant phrasing) or describing percentage changes somewhat loosely. Spelling is generally accurate throughout. To move into a higher band, the student should incorporate a wider range of sophisticated and flexible lexical items, precise reporting verbs, and advanced collocations related to data trends.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing structures like subordinate clauses ('as there is a major decline', 'while the price of zinc metal surged'). There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, but they rarely impede communication. Examples include minor prepositional or structural awkwardness, such as 'in prices of copper and zinc in January and December' or mixing tense consistency slightly when describing past data ('the line chart depicts... nickel shows a sharp decline'). Punctuation is generally functional, though some comma splices or run-on tendencies appear in complex sentences. To attain a higher band, the writer must produce a greater frequency of error-free complex sentences and maintain tighter control over tense agreements when reporting historical data.

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

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