Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-17

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 illustrates the price difference of three metals named copper, nickle and zinc on the monthly basis in the year 2014.

Overall, the prices of these metals saw lot of changes throughout the year and it is noted that at end of the year the rate of Nickle and copper decreased, while Zinc's price increased slightly.

In January 2014, Nickle was peaking at highest price among them, thereafter its price started decreasing and faced about 6% decrease in March as compare to January. The downfall remained untill June in which its prise was lowest among three metals and accounted at -3%. Subsequently, it again started rising and remained same in three months from July to September and after that rose rose significantly and ended in december at 1%.

The price of Zinc in January started at 1% and peaking with 3% increse in Febuary. Thereafter, the up and down in its price countinued and ended at 2% change in monthly price in the December. On the other hand, Copper was initially at 2% change as compare to previous month and continoulsy deceased untill the July when its prize increased by 1.5% as compared to June, therefore it remained same untill the September and then initially decreased in November and then againg rose in december and incresed almost 1% as compare to the November.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover all three metals and identify several important movements, including nickel’s sharp fall to its low point in June and zinc’s rise to 3% in February. However, the overview is not fully accurate: copper and nickel both finish above their June lows, rather than ending the year with decreased prices overall, while zinc also rises toward December. Some details are unclear or inaccurate: nickel’s fall from January to March is about five percentage points, not six, and copper rises from around -0.5% in June to 1% in July, not by 1.5%. The response would be stronger with a precise overview of the mid-year downturn and year-end recovery, and more accurate comparisons across the series.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group nickel separately from zinc and copper. Sequencing is generally easy to follow, with markers such as “thereafter,” “subsequently,” and “on the other hand” guiding the reader through the months. This meets the lower-band expectation of coherent organisation and shows some flexibility in linking ideas. However, the overview’s contrast is confusing because it says nickel and copper decreased at year-end, despite describing their later rises. Some transitions are also mechanical, and the long final sentence packs several copper movements together. Make the overview consistent with the details and use shorter comparisons to improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “peaking,” “downfall,” “remained,” and “accounted at,” and the reader can generally understand the trends being described. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “price difference” for monthly percentage change, “accounted at -3%,” and “the up and down in its price continued.” Repetition of “price” and “increased” also limits flexibility. Spelling errors are noticeable, including “nickle,” “untill,” “prise,” and “continoulsy,” which detract from control. Aim for precise chart language such as “monthly price change,” “fell to,” and “fluctuated,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, using time clauses and linking structures such as “thereafter,” “in which,” and “when.” Most of the main trends remain understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “saw lot of changes” is missing an article, “at end of the year” needs an article, and “as compare to January” has an incorrect verb form. The sentence beginning “On the other hand, Copper…” is especially difficult to control because several events are joined into one long sentence, with unclear clause relationships and punctuation. Practise accurate comparative structures (“compared with”) and divide sequences into shorter sentences. This would improve accuracy while preserving your attempts at complex forms.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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