Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-14

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 the standard monthly modification in the cost of three items over from January to December.

Overall, all three catagories experienced significant fluctuation thoroughout the year, with a general trend decreasing price growth in the half of the year, hitting a low point in june, followed by recovery towards December.

In January, the solid line started at the highest point of 5%, before steadily declining to 1% in july and remained steady until September, before a minor drip to nearly -2% i Octember. It finished the year with a sharp rebound, ending at 1.5% in December.

The light gray line and the dashed line followed a somewhat similar overall trajectory but with less extreme variations. The ligh gray line begin at 2% in January, peaked at 3% in February, and then fluctuated downward to a of low of 0.5% between June and September, before finishing yhe year at 2% in December. Meanwhile, the dashed line started at 2%, decreased gradually to 0.5% by March, dropped to its lowest point of -1% in June.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response identifies a broad pattern of decline and later recovery, and it attempts to compare all three metals. However, several key figures and trends are misreported, which makes the account only minimally reliable. The solid line is described as starting at 5%, but nickel actually begins at about 6%; it falls to around -3% in June, not 1% in July, and ends near 1%, not 1.5%. The light-gray line’s December value is about 2%, but its low point is around -1% in June rather than 0.5% from June to September. The dashed line’s later movement is also left unfinished. Give a precise overview and check each series against the graph before selecting its main features.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and two detail paragraphs. The overview gives the reader a useful broad direction, while phrases such as “Overall,” “In January,” and “Meanwhile” help signal shifts between points and series. This coherent structure supports the reader even when some data are inaccurate. To make the progression more complete and flexible, organise the details consistently by metal or by shared stages, and finish the comparison of the dashed line rather than stopping after its June low. Some references, such as “the solid line” and “the light gray line,” require the reader to infer which metal is meant; naming each metal directly would make cohesion and comparison clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

There is an adequate range of vocabulary for describing a graph, including “fluctuation,” “peaked,” “declining,” “lowest point,” and “rebound.” These choices show an attempt to use varied language rather than repeat basic verbs. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward: “monthly modification in the cost” is not a natural description of percentage price change, and “a minor drip” does not convey a small fall appropriately. Spelling errors such as “catagories,” “thoroughout,” “Octember,” and “ligh” also reduce precision. Use standard graph language such as “monthly percentage change,” “fell slightly,” and “metals,” and proofread spelling so the intended meaning is consistently clear.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including a relative clause in “a general trend decreasing price growth …, hitting a low point …, followed by recovery.” Most sentences remain understandable, and the sequencing of events is generally conveyed. Some grammatical errors nevertheless occur. For example, “the solid line started … and remained steady” shifts from a singular subject to an unclear continuation, while “the light gray line begin” has an incorrect verb form. The phrase “to a of low of 0.5%” also shows faulty construction, and “dropped to its lowest of -1%” needs a grammatical completion such as “to its lowest point.” Review verb agreement and sentence construction, especially in longer descriptions.

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