Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 percentage change in the prices of copper, nickle and zinc in 2014.

Overall, the prices of all three metals fluctuated throughout the period while nickle experienced considerable declined before increasing in the last two months.

Looking at the details, nickle had the highest price in the month of January at 6% which significantly dropped to -3% in the month of June. The figure slightly increased to -1% in the month of July, August and September and decreased to -2% in the following month before increasing to 1% in November and December.

The price of the copper fluctuated between -0.5% and 2% throughout the year. However, the price of the zinc stood at 1% in January which slightly grew to 3% in the next month before dropping to -1% in June. After that the percentage increased to 2% until december.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the graph’s subject and give a relevant overview, noting that all three metals fluctuated and that nickel fell before recovering near the end. You also report several key figures accurately, including nickel’s January peak and June low. However, the account is only partial: copper is described broadly, while zinc’s later movement is inaccurately summarised as rising to 2% “until December”; it fell to around -0.5% from July to September, then recovered in November and December. The overview could also compare the metals’ contrasting patterns more clearly. Finally, the response is 144 words, below the required 150, so it needs a little more relevant detail to meet the task fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and two detail paragraphs. Sequencing phrases such as “Looking at the details,” “After that,” and “before increasing” help the reader follow the timeline, and the main information is generally easy to locate. However, the final paragraph combines copper and zinc without a clear comparison, and the zinc account’s “After that” does not make the sequence precise. The overview also repeats the general idea of fluctuation without distinguishing the metals’ different patterns. Grouping the metals by their movements and using clearer references to the months would make progression more effective and cohesion less dependent on basic linking phrases.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “percentage change,” “fluctuated,” “dropped,” and “increased,” which communicates the main trends. There are also attempts at more descriptive language, such as “considerable declined,” although this phrase is not formed or collocated naturally. “Nickle” is misspelled twice, and “price of the copper” uses an unnecessary article; these slips do not prevent understanding but reduce precision. Some verbs are repeated, particularly “increased” and “dropped,” and “the figure” is not always specific about which metal is being discussed. Use accurate metal names and vary trend language with precise alternatives such as “recovered,” “remained stable,” or “fell.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a subordinate clause in “before increasing in the last two months” and a contrast introduced by “However.” Most sentences are understandable, and the sequence of past-tense reporting is generally controlled. Some grammatical errors remain: “experienced considerable declined” has an incorrect form after the adjective, and “in the month of July, August and September” has an awkward singular construction for a list of months. The final sentence also leaves the subject of “increased” unclear. To strengthen accuracy, check adjective and noun forms, use consistent plural structures for grouped months, and make sure each trend verb has an explicit metal as its subject.

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