Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-06

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 presents an average monthly change in the prices of three metals copper, zinc, and nickel across 2014.

Overall, the greatest fluctuation is experienced in the prices of Nickel, while copper showed the most stable pattern. The extreme decline in the prices for all three metals is seen during the month of June, with Nickel recorded its lowest change of - 3%. Later, by the end of the year all three metals experienced the increase in their prices

Nickel started off in January with the highest price change of 6% compared with other metals. Its decline began in Febuary from 4% to an extreme of 1% during March. It remained stable during March and April at 1% before it plunged sharply to -3% in June. However, the plunge did not sustain for long and it started to rise from July and reached -1%, at which it remained stable for the next two months August and Semptember. By the end of the year, it then rose upto 1% and remained stagnant until December.

Zinc started off with 1% in January and got a hike of 2% in Febuary, post which it continued to fall until it reached -1% in June. Later it did experience a marginal and stable rise between July and September, after which it hiked upto 2% in December. Lastly, copper had the most stable pattern, as it started off with 2% in January and faced a consistent decline during Febuary to June. It then recoverd to 1% from June to Septmeber until it had slight dip in October and then rise from November to December of 2% change in price.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

Your response covers all parts of the task by selecting and reporting the main features of the line graph, and you make relevant comparisons across the three metals throughout 2014. You provide a clear overview outlining that nickel experienced the greatest fluctuation while copper was the most stable. However, some parts of the task are developed more fully than others; for instance, the details regarding the mid-year drop and subsequent trends are described thoroughly, but certain descriptions of monthly movements are slightly imprecise when compared against the visual data, such as your statement regarding nickel remaining stable at -1% for August and September when the graph shows specific monthly points. To reach a higher band, ensure that all reported data points closely mirror the graph without generalising minor discrepancies, and extend your analysis of key trends further.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

Your essay has a coherent overall arrangement and presents a clear logical progression from the introduction through the overview to the detailed body paragraphs. You use paragraphing sufficiently, dedicating each body paragraph to specific trends or metals. Cohesive devices are employed to link your ideas, such as "Overall", "Later", and "However", though referencing and cohesion occasionally feel somewhat mechanical. For example, transitional phrases between sentences could flow more naturally to avoid a formulaic structure. To move up to the next band, refine your use of cohesive devices so they connect sentences and paragraphs seamlessly without drawing unnecessary attention to themselves, ensuring clearer referencing throughout.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms relevant to data trends such as "fluctuation", "decline", "stable pattern", and "plunged sharply". You attempt some less common vocabulary items like "stagnant" and "marginal", which shows ambition. However, there are some word choice and spelling errors that affect precision, such as writing "Febuary" instead of February, "recoverd" instead of recovered, "Septmeber" instead of September, and describing a price change as a "price" when the chart tracks percentage changes. To achieve a higher lexical band, you should incorporate a wider variety of precise vocabulary with correct spelling and collocations, avoiding repetitive phrasing when describing rises and falls.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, successfully using structures like subordinate clauses introduced by "as" and "while". There are some grammatical errors and awkward phrasing throughout the text, such as missing or incorrect articles ("an average monthly change", "the increase in their prices"), preposition errors ("rise from November to December of 2% change"), and tense inconsistencies. These errors do not impede communication, but they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To reach the next level, you need to increase your control over complex structures, ensure accurate use of articles and prepositions within grammatical patterns, and eliminate mechanical errors to produce a greater proportion of error-free sentences.

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.