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 graph illustrates the average monthly fluctuation in the prices of three metals that are copper, nickel and zinc over the twelve months of period of 2014.

Overall, the change in price of nickel was the highest among the three metal in January, and after several significant fluctuations it decreased being the lowest in December. In contrast, the change in price of zinc was the lowest in January, and after some uncertain fluctuations it became the highest in December. However, The change in price of copper in December remained as approximately same as January though depicting some irregular fluctuations.

In January, nickel's price changed 6% which was the highest among all, and it decreased sharply being 1% in March that remained constant until in April it slightly plummeted to approximately 0.5% in May. By May, it dramatically decreased to -3% in June, and then it again increased sharply to -1% in July. From July to September, it remained constant, and then plummeted to -2% in October. Finally, it increased again sharply to 1% in November and remained constant till December staying in the lowest rank among three metals.

However, zinc showed 1% change in price in January, and it increased sharply to 3%, then again decreased to -1% in June. From June to October it remained same though having a slight increase between July to September what is around -0.5%. From October it increased sharply being 2% in December. Furthermore, copper had 2% change in price, then it decreased to 0.5% in March, remaining the constant till April, and then decreased again to -0.5% in March that remained constant till June. From June, it increased again to 1% and remained constant till September, then after a slight decrease to around 0.5% from October to November, it increased again to around 0.5% in December.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the three metals and provide an overview that captures the broad contrast: nickel starts highest and zinc finishes highest, while copper changes less dramatically. You also include many relevant monthly figures. However, some key details are inaccurate or unclear: nickel falls to 1% by April, not May, and the description then repeats its fall to -3% “by May” before correctly placing it in June. For zinc, the account says it remains unchanged from June to October, although it rises from -1% to around -0.5% in July and then falls to -1% in October. Copper’s December value is about 1.5%, not 0.5%, so the overview’s comparison with January is also misleading. More accurate selection and reporting of the main movements would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, a summary of the main pattern, and separate paragraphs describing the metals. This makes the information reasonably easy to follow, and sequencing expressions such as “In January,” “From June,” and “Finally” help locate changes over time. However, the progression is sometimes weakened by inaccurate or confusing links between months. For example, the nickel account says “By May” after already describing a change in May, and the copper account says it fell again “in March” after discussing April, where May is intended. Connectors such as “However” and “Furthermore” are also used mechanically rather than always showing a clear contrast or addition. Grouping the metals’ shared mid-year decline and late-year recovery more deliberately, and checking month references, would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a reasonably varied range of vocabulary for describing trends, including “decreased sharply,” “remained constant,” “increased,” and “fluctuations.” These choices allow you to report rises and falls without relying entirely on basic verbs, and the meaning is generally clear. There is also an attempt to use more precise language such as “approximately” and “dramatically.” At times, however, word choice or collocation is awkward: “uncertain fluctuations” is not a natural description of changing figures, and “the lowest rank” is less suitable than saying a value was the lowest. Repetition of “sharply” and “remained constant” also limits flexibility. More precise trend vocabulary and natural collocations would help you express comparisons more fluently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “though” and “after,” and most of the trends remain understandable. However, some errors in sentence structure, agreement, articles, and punctuation reduce accuracy. For example, “three metal” needs a plural form, while “the twelve months of period of 2014” has an awkward article and noun structure. The sentence “From June to October it remained same though having a slight increase” is grammatically incomplete in its second clause, and “However, The change” has incorrect capitalisation after the comma. There are also unclear constructions such as “decreased being 1%.” Aim for more controlled complex sentences, checking articles and verb forms, and use shorter sentences when a trend description becomes difficult to manage.

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