Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-07

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 illustrates proportion of change in prices of copper, nickel, and zinc each month over the year in 2014.

Overall, it can be seen that nickel and zinc experienced fluctuating trend throughout the year, whereas copper showed a relatively stable trend.

Nickel began the year in January with highest change at 6%, followed by a gradual drop of 2% to reach a total of 4% change in February. Then, there was a sharp drop to 1% in March before showing a stability till May. In May, nickel prices experienced a dramatic fall by making a low of -3%. Furthermore prices remained same at -1 for continuously three months after recovery o 2%. Nickel ended the period in positive at 1% change.

Zinc and Copper started at 1% and 2% respectively, where Zinc followed an uptrend while Copper witnessed a downward trend. Zinc ended the period where the copper started while copper ended just below its starting point.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the graph’s subject and give an overview contrasting copper’s relative stability with the larger fluctuations in nickel and zinc. You also report several key nickel figures accurately, including its January peak and June low, and compare the metals’ starting and ending points. However, coverage is uneven: the account focuses heavily on nickel, while zinc’s rise and fall and copper’s month-by-month pattern are only briefly described. There is also a factual inconsistency: nickel falls to -3% in June, then recovers to -1% in July, not by 2%; it remains at -1% through September. The overview could more clearly identify the shared mid-year decline and late-year recovery. Develop the other two series with accurate comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, a brief overview, and paragraphs describing the data. The sequence through the months in the nickel account is generally easy to follow, and linking expressions such as “Then” and “Furthermore” help signal progression. However, the final paragraph compresses both copper and zinc into two broad statements, so their trends are not clearly traced. Some connections are also difficult to interpret, particularly “after recovery o 2%,” and “where” in the final paragraph does not clearly express the comparison intended. Use separate, logically ordered details for each metal and make comparisons explicit—for example, explain that zinc and copper both declined around mid-year, but copper’s changes were smaller.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “sharp drop,” “gradual drop,” “stable trend,” and “uptrend,” which helps describe movement. Some less common choices are attempted, but several are inaccurate or unnatural in this context: “proportion of change” is less suitable than “percentage change,” and “making a low” would be more naturally expressed as “reaching a low.” “Fluctuating trend” and “ended the period in positive” also show imprecise collocation or word form, though the intended meaning is usually recoverable. Aim for precise, conventional graph language and avoid repeating general terms such as “drop” when “declined,” “fell,” or “decreased” would fit. This would make the descriptions clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning “whereas” and “before,” and most of the message remains understandable. Some grammatical errors, however, affect clarity and control. For example, “Nickel and zinc experienced fluctuating trend” needs an article or plural form, while “prices experienced a dramatic fall by making a low” has an awkward sentence structure. In “remained same at -1 for continuously three months,” the article and adverb placement are problematic; “remained at -1 for three consecutive months” is a clearer pattern. The final sentence beginning “Zinc ended the period where…” also lacks a clear grammatical comparison. Practise accurate article use, verb patterns, and sentence construction while retaining your attempts at complex forms.

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