Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The line graph illustrates the mean monthly change in the costs of copper, nickel, and zinc throughout 2014.

Overall, the average monthly change in prices of all three metals showed a decreasing trend. Nickel had the highest average monthly change in January, but the lowest in December. The average monthly change of copper and zinc experienced fluctuations over the time period.

The percentage change in price compared with previous month was 6% for Nickel in January. It decreased to 1% in March before further dropping to -3% in June. In July the percentage change in price rose to -1% and then remained stagnant till September. It dropped to -2% in October after which it rose to 1% in November and remained at this percentage in December.

Zinc started at 1% in January. The percentage change in price rose to 3% in February, after which it declined to -1% in June. From July to Septemeber it remained stable at almost -0.5%. From October the percentage change showed an upward trend and reached 2%. This was the highest among all three metals in December. The percentage change of Copper started at 2% in January and experienced a downward trend and reached almost -0.5% in June. It rose in July to 1% and remained constant till September. The percentage change then rose till December.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by selecting and reporting the main features of the line graph for all three metals. The overview captures the general trends, noting that the metrics showed a decreasing trend overall alongside fluctuations for copper and zinc. Key data points are highlighted, such as nickel starting at 6% in January and dropping to -3% in June, and zinc reaching 2% in December. However, some aspects of the overview are slightly inaccurate or over-generalized, as the prices did not uniformly decrease throughout the entire year; nickel and zinc both finished higher in December than they started in January. To reach a higher band, the overview needs to be more precise regarding the overall trajectories, and certain minor fluctuations could be more fully synthesised and compared across the three categories rather than listed sequentially by metal.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The report displays clear logical organisation and progression throughout, with a coherent overall arrangement. Information is logically grouped into an introduction, an overview paragraph, and subsequent body paragraphs dedicated to specific data details. Cohesive devices such as time markers ('In July', 'From October') are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. However, referencing and cohesion can sometimes feel slightly mechanical rather than entirely natural, such as the repetitive use of sentence openings like 'The percentage change' across consecutive sentences. Paragraphing is used appropriately, but more seamless transitions between sentences and ideas would elevate the response further towards fully fluent progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The writer demonstrates a sufficient vocabulary range to allow some flexibility and precision when describing graphical data, successfully employing terms such as 'fluctuations', 'stagnant', 'upward trend', and 'downward trend'. Less common lexical items and data descriptors are attempted with reasonable success, though there is a slight reliance on repetitive phrasing ('percentage change in price'). Word choices are generally appropriate and communication is never impeded, though occasional minor awkwardness in collocation appears. To achieve a higher band, a wider variety of synonyms for price movements and a more natural incorporation of advanced academic vocabulary are required.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The response makes use of a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating good control of grammar and punctuation overall. There are frequent error-free sentences, particularly when reporting past data points, such as 'Zinc started at 1% in January.' Grammar and punctuation are generally well handled, and minor errors do not impede communication. However, occasional slips occur, such as the minor spelling error 'Septemeber' (which falls under word form/spelling conventions handled here) and slight awkwardness in prepositional phrases. To reach higher bands, the writer should incorporate a wider variety of advanced complex structures, such as participial clauses or passive constructions, while maintaining complete grammatical precision.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.