Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The line graph compares monthly changes in the costs of copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014.

Overall, there has been significant amount of changes in the prices of all three metals. The price for nickel dropped dramatically, whereas zinc's price rose initially, but then kept falling and rose again at the end. The cost of copper decreased gradually until June, afterwards it fluctuated and increased.

On the one hand, initially, nickel stood highest in terms of its price, peaking at 6% in January. However, its cost began to fall substantially, reaching only 1% change in its price in March. Neverthless, it continued to fluctuate, and reached -3% in June, but somehow it managed to increase again, resulting in -1% change until September. It again reduced in October to -2%, but eventually rose to 1% in December.

On the other hand, there was only 2% change in the price of copper in January. However, this fraction reduced to 0% change in June. Afterwards, the prices began to change again from June, increasing to 1% in July. Then it remained steady until September, and decreased slightly to 0% in October and November, but rose to 1.5% in December.

In contrast, there was only 1% change in the price of zinc, which rose to 3% in Feburary. This fraction then decreased to 1% in May, and continued to fall until October, reaching a change of -1%, and again rose to 2% in December.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main patterns and provide a clear overview: nickel falls sharply, while copper and zinc recover towards the end. Most reported figures and turning points are accurate, including nickel’s January peak and June low, and zinc’s rise in February and decline to October. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate. Copper reaches 0.5% in October and November, not 0%, and its decline to around -0.5% begins in May and continues through June; saying it fell to 0% in June misses this negative period. The overview also says zinc “kept falling” without noting its mid-year negative plateau. The response covers the task well, but more precise reporting and a fuller overview of the metals’ contrasting movements would strengthen it.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised effectively into an introduction, an overview and separate paragraphs for the three metals. The sequence within each metal’s account is generally chronological, and linking expressions such as “However,” “Afterwards” and “eventually” help the reader follow changes. The contrast between nickel and the other metals is also clear. Some transitions are less logical or repetitive: “On the one hand” and “On the other hand” suggest a paired contrast, but the next paragraph begins “In contrast” for zinc as well. “Neverthless” also introduces a continued fall rather than a contrast. Grouping copper and zinc together, or using more precise links between stages, would make the progression more flexible and cohesive.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of trend vocabulary, including “peaking,” “dropped dramatically,” “fluctuated,” “remained steady” and “rose.” These choices make the main movements understandable. However, some wording is imprecise or repetitive: “cost” and “price” are used interchangeably, while “fraction” is not a natural way to describe a percentage change. “There has been significant amount of changes” is also awkward, and “somehow it managed to increase” is too conversational for an academic report. There are spelling errors in “Neverthless” and “Feburary.” More accurate collocations and consistent use of terms such as “monthly price change” would improve precision and style.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “whereas,” “although”-type contrasts and time markers, and most meanings remain clear. There are some grammatical errors, but they rarely obstruct understanding. For example, “there has been significant amount of changes” needs an article and a more suitable singular construction, such as “there were significant changes.” In “the prices began to change again from June,” the time relationship is unclear, and “reaching only 1% change in its price” would be clearer as “reaching a 1% monthly change.” The overview shifts into the present perfect (“there has been”) despite describing a completed year; consistent past-tense reporting would be more appropriate. Continue varying sentence structures while checking articles and tense consistency.

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.