Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-28

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)

This graph illustrates the average montly variations in the price of three metals, Copper, Nickel and Zinc in 2014.

Overall, all three metals had experienced fluctuations, while copper price was most stable. Although Nickel was leading intially, its price reduced dramatically in the period. Meanwhile Zinc overtook both metals and became highest figure, the growth between july to september in all three metals remain unchange.

Nickel started the year with highest change, at 6% in january to fell sharply to -3% by june. After that nickel began to grow modestly, in between july to untill september nickel remained unchanged at -1%. By in october it dipped -2%, while surging to 1% in november and december.

Zinc accounted for 1% in january and increased to 2% in feb. However it number plummeted in upcoming months till in june around -1%, it graddually enhanced to -0.5% in july and remained at same level untill september. In october it was slightly negative by december it jumped to 2%.

Copper began at 2% in january, by may and june it gradually reduced to negative 0.5%. From july to onwards till september copper remain stable at 1% while in ending months of year it fluctuated within narrow range finihing at 1.5% in december.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main pattern well: nickel begins highest and falls sharply, copper is comparatively stable, and all three metals are negative around June before recovering. The report also includes relevant figures, such as nickel’s fall from 6% to -3% and copper’s finish at 1.5%. This gives the response a clear overview and covers the three series. Some details, however, are inaccurate or unclear: zinc does not overtake both metals to become the highest overall; it finishes at 2%, while nickel is at 1% and copper at 1.5%. The overview’s claim that all three remain unchanged from July to September is also too broad, as copper is stable but nickel and zinc have different levels. More precise comparisons and a clearer account of the year-end ranking would strengthen the summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is arranged in a sensible order, with an overview followed by separate paragraphs for nickel, zinc and copper. This makes the main information easy to locate, and sequencing phrases such as “After that,” “However” and “In October” help show changes over time. Some connections are less clear or mechanically expressed, particularly “the growth between july to september in all three metals remain unchange,” which conflicts with the later descriptions and makes the overview difficult to interpret. Within the metal paragraphs, the sequence is generally chronological, but several transitions could be more precise. Use linking language to compare series as well as to move through months, and ensure each overview statement is consistent with the detailed figures.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “fluctuations,” “plummeted,” “surging,” “remained unchanged” and “narrow range.” These choices help describe movement rather than simply listing figures. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “Copper price,” “highest figure,” “it number plummeted” and “gradually enhanced.” Spelling errors, including “montly,” “intially,” “graddually” and “finishing,” also reduce the accuracy of the vocabulary. The intended meaning is usually recoverable, so the range is adequate, but greater control of natural chart-description phrases would improve precision. Prefer standard expressions such as “the price of copper,” “the highest rate” and “the figure fell.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “Although,” “while” and “However.” The overall meaning is usually understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “Nickel … at 6% in january to fell sharply” needs a corrected verb pattern, while “the growth … remain unchange” has problems with agreement and verb form. In “copper remain stable,” the verb should agree with its subject, and “by in october” shows an incorrect preposition pattern. Articles and sentence construction also need attention in phrases such as “became highest figure.” These errors do not generally prevent understanding, but proofreading verb forms, agreement and prepositions would make the report more accurate.

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