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 chart displays comparative data on how the costs of Copper, Nickel and Zinc were changed in 2014.

Overall, it can be seen that the switch of price of Zinc ultimately increased, though it faced some fluctuations over the year. In stark contrast, the data for Copper and Nickel experienced reduction.

Looking at the chart in more detail, it is clear that in January of 2014, the price of Zinc slightly changed that accounts for 1%. Then, it faced an increase when the proportion reached to 3% in February. After some gradual decline until it fell to -1% in October, the proportion for Zinc plunged to 2% in December.

Turning to the remaining data, it is noticeable that price of Copper changed about 2% in January. The figure for Copper, however, registered for gradual reduction until May, when it reached to approximately -0.5%. Moreover, the proportion again started to increase and it rose to nearly 1.5% in December. Interestingly, the prportion for Nickel was 6% in January, but it faced a dramatic decrease from february to June, when it stood at -3%. After reaching to -1% in July, the percentage remained completely unchanged for next two months. Again by facing a slight decline it rose to 1% in the last onth of 2014.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main movement of all three metals and include useful figures, such as nickel’s fall from 6% in January to -3% in June and copper’s recovery towards the end of the year. The overview also attempts to contrast the series. However, it misrepresents the overall picture: copper did not show an overall reduction, ending above its January level, and nickel also finished positive after its sharp mid-year fall. The zinc account says it fell to -1% in October, but that figure belongs to October’s low point only approximately; zinc then rose to 1.5% in November and 2% in December. Make the overview more accurate and compare the metals’ shared mid-year decline and year-end recovery.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear four-part structure: introduction, overview, and two detail paragraphs. Phrases such as “Overall,” “Looking at the chart in more detail,” and “Turning to the remaining data” help signal the stages, and the reader can generally follow the chronology. This meets the lower-band expectation of coherent overall arrangement and shows some of the stronger progression expected above it. However, the overview’s contrast is not fully supported by the details, and the zinc paragraph jumps from October directly to December, leaving the November rise unreported. Some linking is also formulaic, particularly repeated “Then” and “Moreover.” Grouping the metals by shared patterns and using clearer comparisons would make progression more cohesive.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “fluctuations,” “gradual decline,” “dramatic decrease,” and “remained unchanged.” These choices help describe movement and variation, and the meaning is generally clear. However, several word combinations are inaccurate or unnatural: prices “were changed,” a “switch of price” increased, and a figure “reached to” a value. There are also spelling slips, including “prportion,” “february,” and “onth,” which reduce precision. Aim for standard chart language and consistent spelling; for example, say that prices “changed” or “rose,” and that a figure “reached” a level. More precise verbs would also help distinguish a fall from a subsequent recovery.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “when,” “though,” and “but.” Most sentences communicate the intended trend, so grammatical errors rarely prevent understanding. Some errors remain in sentence construction and grammatical patterns, however. For example, “how the costs … were changed” uses an awkward passive construction, while “when it reached to approximately -0.5%” has an incorrect verb pattern; write “when it reached approximately -0.5%.” In “the price of Zinc slightly changed that accounts for 1%,” the clause structure and tense are unclear. Review articles and sentence patterns as well, as in “price of Copper” and “for next two months.” More consistently accurate complex sentences would strengthen control.

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.