Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-20

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 given line graph illustrates the average monthly proportion change in the price of copper, nickel, and zinc compare with previous month in the year 2014.

Overall, it is clearly seen that the price of all three metal experience significant fluctuation throughout the year. While nickel showed the most dramatic variation, all three community share general downward in the middle of the year before recovering toward December.

To begin with, in January Nickel, it was the most expensive metal. The year begin with a sharp 6% increase in price compared to the previous month in January. However, this figure decline steadily to around 1% by March. The price dropped significantly into negative territory hiting a low of-3% in June. It remain below zero until November, before eventually recovering to 1% in December.

Furthermore, in contrast, zinc and copper exhibited less extreme fluctuation. Zinc begin at 1% increase, peaked at 3% February, and then however, around zero percentage for more of the spring and summer. However, it's a steady rise towards the end of the year, finishing with 2% increase in December and remain the highest trend by the end of the period. Copper, meanwhile most stable its price change fluctuate only slightly, remaining between 0% and 1% for the vas majority of the year, before ending 2014 at 1% increase.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You provide a clear overview of the main pattern: nickel fluctuates most sharply, all three metals weaken around the middle of the year, and prices recover toward the end. The account also selects useful details, including nickel’s January peak and June low, zinc’s February high, and copper’s relative stability. Most figures broadly match the graph. However, some descriptions are too general or imprecise: zinc did not stay “around zero” through spring and summer, as it remained positive until May and then fell only modestly below zero; copper also reached about 1.5% in December, rather than 1%. The claim that nickel was “the most expensive metal” is not supported by a graph of monthly percentage changes. More precise comparisons and accurate endpoint figures would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised into a clear introduction, overview, and two detail paragraphs, with a sensible progression from nickel to zinc and copper. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “To begin with,” and “Furthermore” help signal the structure, and the contrast between nickel and the other metals is easy to follow. At times, however, connectors are stacked or used awkwardly: “and then however” and the repeated “However” interrupt the flow. The final paragraph also shifts between zinc and copper without a clear separation of their details. Use fewer, more purposeful transitions and group each metal’s figures in a clean sequence; this would make the progression smoother and cohesion more flexible.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “fluctuation,” “dramatic variation,” “negative territory,” “recovering,” and “stable,” which helps describe the graph’s movements. There are also some inaccurate word choices and collocations that reduce precision. “Proportion change” is not the natural term for the measure shown; “percentage change” is appropriate. “The most expensive metal” confuses price level with the rate of change, while “all three community share” appears to be an incorrect word choice. Spelling errors such as “hiting” and “vas” are also noticeable. Aim for precise graph language and check spelling and word forms, especially in phrases describing increases, decreases, and comparisons.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex sentences, including contrast clauses such as “While nickel showed the most dramatic variation…” and “before eventually recovering…”. Meaning is generally understandable, but some errors in verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction remain. For example, “all three metal experience” needs plural agreement and a consistent past tense; “The year begin” and “this figure decline” also require past-tense forms. The sentence beginning “Zinc begin at 1% increase…” becomes difficult to control because clauses are joined without a clear structure, and “Copper, meanwhile most stable” lacks a finite verb. Review past-tense reporting and build complex sentences around complete clauses, with careful punctuation.

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