Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-25

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 minimal month to month alteration in the prices of copper, nickel and zinc in the year 2014.

Overall, nickel experienced the most significant changes, fall sharply to its lowest point in June. In comparison, copper shown minimal fluctuation over the year, while zinc metal decreased in the first half of the year till June and rose gradually over end of the year. In addition, prices of all three metal remained unchanged from July to September.

To begin with, for nickel metal, it recorded highest at starting of the year 6% in the January. However, it declined dramatically in price in the march month at 1%, then it relatively stable for two month till march at below 0%. Nickel marked the lowest point price -3% in June among all three metals, before climb gradually to 1% by the end to the year, which recorded minimal price than zinc and copper.

Furthermore, comparing for zinc and metal, in the starting of the year in January, zinc price was 1%, which is lowest among all thee category. Meanwhile, price for copper was 2% in January. In February, the price of zinc went up to 3%, while price of copper was dropped till June below 1%. Similarly, for zinc after February the price fell till June (-1%). Eventually, from June both price remained the relatively unchanged for from the month July to September at 1% for copper, and below 0% for zinc. Then both prices fluctuated till December, as zinc recorded maximum price 2% and nickel minimum price at 1% by the end of the year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main contrast: nickel is the most volatile and reaches the lowest point in June, while copper changes less, and you include several relevant figures. However, some comparisons are inaccurate or unclear. The claim that all three metals were unchanged from July to September is not correct: copper stays around 1%, zinc around −0.5%, but nickel is about −1%. You also say nickel was stable “for two month till march,” although the sharp fall continues through March and it is roughly stable only in April and May. The overview mentions broad trends, but should more accurately summarise the shared mid-year decline and late-year recovery. Selecting and reporting the key features is a good foundation; precise comparisons and clearer trend descriptions would strengthen coverage.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and two detail paragraphs. Sequencing by metal and then by time generally helps the reader follow the account, and transitions such as “Overall,” “Furthermore” and “Eventually” signal relationships. However, progression is weakened by unclear or contradictory references: “till march” follows a description of March, and “both price” does not clearly identify which two series are meant. The final sentence also introduces nickel while discussing zinc and copper, making the comparison difficult to track. Some linking phrases feel mechanical or are used where the relationship is not clear. Grouping the metals’ shared movements into a clear mid-year and late-year comparison, with explicit references to each series, would make the organisation more cohesive.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “declined dramatically,” “lowest point,” “fluctuation” and “gradually,” which allows you to describe movement and comparison. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “experienced the most significant changes.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, including “month to month alteration,” “recorded highest,” “price remained the relatively unchanged” and “comparing for zinc and metal.” Repetition of “price” and “price was” also limits flexibility. These choices do not prevent the reader from understanding the general account, but they reduce precision and naturalness. Use standard graph language consistently—for example, “monthly change,” “reached a peak,” “remained relatively stable” and “compared with”—and check singular/plural forms such as “metals.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “while,” “before” and “as,” and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, some errors in verb forms, agreement, articles and sentence construction remain. For example, “nickel experienced … fall sharply” needs a finite verb form (“fell sharply”), and “copper shown” should be “copper showed.” In “prices of all three metal remained,” the noun should be plural, while “both price remained” also has an agreement problem. The sentence about nickel being stable “for two month till march” is grammatically and logically difficult to follow. These errors recur across the response, although they do not usually block the main message. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build complex sentences around clearly stated subjects.

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