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 graph in the image illustrates the annuals change in the prices of three different metals in 2014.

Overall, the prices of nickel and copper started its journey with a decline till june but then soared in upcoming months with a little bit flactuation in between. However, the price of zinc surged in the first month but plummeted after january hike and ended up almost at same point as other metals.

The price of nickel slumped from january (6%) to june (-3%) with a slight stability in between. After significant decline in starting months, it rose quickly in the month of june to july and remain stable for next three months and then end up at 1% in december with a small decline in september to october. Similarly, the price of Copper went down from january (2%) to may (-0.5%) and then recovered to 1% till july. its price ended up at 1.5% in december.

On the other hand, the price of zinc jumped in 1st month of the year but reduced to -1% in june. After dipping, it climbed to 2% till december with a similar pattern of flactuation like nickel in between.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover all three metals and give a broad overview of their contrasting movements, including nickel’s steep fall and zinc’s recovery. Several key figures are accurately reported, such as nickel moving from 6% to -3% by June and copper reaching 1.5% in December. However, the overview is not fully reliable: copper did not decline until June and then soar; it fell to -0.5% in May and June before recovering. Zinc did not end at almost the same point as the other metals: it finished at 2%, above copper and nickel at 1.5% and 1%. The account of nickel’s later movement is also unclear, since it rose from -3% to -1% in July, then fell to -2% in October before recovering. More precise comparisons would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs describing the metals. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Similarly,” and “On the other hand” help signal the direction of the discussion. However, some connections between events are confusing. For example, nickel “rose quickly in the month of june to july” is followed by “remain stable for next three months,” which obscures the subsequent fall to -2% in October. The overview also groups copper and nickel together as if their patterns were similar, although copper’s changes were much smaller. Use clearer time markers and organise each series in chronological stages, while ensuring that comparisons link genuinely similar trends.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of trend vocabulary, including “slumped,” “recovered,” “plummeted,” and “fluctuation,” which is appropriate for describing a line graph. Some choices, however, are informal or imprecise: “started its journey” and “a little bit fluctuation” are less suitable for an academic report, while “surged” overstates copper’s modest recovery. There are also spelling and word-form errors, including “annuals,” “flactuation,” and “june.” These do not prevent understanding, but they reduce accuracy and control. Prefer neutral, precise terms such as “fell,” “rose,” and “remained stable,” and check spelling and collocations carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including contrast clauses beginning with “However” and “On the other hand.” The main trends remain understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. In “the prices of nickel and copper started its journey,” the plural subject requires “their”; “it rose quickly … and remain stable” needs consistent past-tense forms (“rose” and “remained”); and “its price ended up” begins a sentence with an unclear reference. Articles and phrasing also need attention in “in starting months” and “for next three months.” More consistent past-tense control, clear pronoun references, and accurate agreement would make the complex sentences more reliable.

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