Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-29

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 given line graph shows the information about the average monthly change in prices of three metals during 2014. The three metals are categorised as copper, nickel and zinc.

Overall, nickel has the highest price in the starting month and over the period it significantly decreased at the bottom of graph in mid year and later again rised to the half of the starting price. Copper and zinc has moderately changes in prices over the timeframe.

In general, nickel has recorded highest change in the price which was accounted for 6% in January, on the other hand also has decreased in the price over the year in June month which was made up by -3%. Zinc has the highest increased in Feburary month which accounted for 3% while it dropped to -1% in the same month nickel was. In addition, copper has slightly changes in its price over the period and highest increased was in January which represented 2% increased and later dropped to almost 0%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the three metals and include several accurate key figures, such as nickel’s January peak of 6%, its June low of -3%, zinc’s February rise to 3%, and copper’s January figure of 2%. The overview also recognises nickel’s sharp mid-year fall and the comparatively modest movement in copper and zinc. However, some important developments are only partly reported: nickel’s recovery to positive changes in November and December, and zinc’s late-year rise, could be described more clearly. The statement that nickel later rose to “the half of the starting price” is unclear and does not accurately express the monthly percentage changes. A fuller comparison across the year, especially the shared mid-year decline and late-year recovery, would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and a final paragraph with selected details. This gives the reader a general route through the information, and linking phrases such as “Overall,” “on the other hand,” and “In addition” help connect points. However, the final paragraph moves between nickel, zinc, and copper without a clear organising principle, and some connections are awkward or unclear—for example, “while it dropped to -1% in the same month nickel was.” The overview and detail paragraph also repeat nickel’s high and low without developing a broader comparison. Grouping the metals by their shared mid-year fall and subsequent recovery, or describing each series in a consistent sequence, would improve progression and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “line graph,” “over the period,” “decreased,” and “increased,” and the main trends are generally understandable. There are also attempts at more formal reporting language, such as “accounted for” and “represented.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural: “highest increased,” “moderately changes,” and “rised” weaken precision, while “at the bottom of graph” is an imprecise description. “The half of the starting price” is also unclear when describing a percentage change. Spelling errors such as “Feburary” are noticeable. Aim for accurate forms such as “rose,” “the largest increase,” and “fluctuated moderately,” and use “percentage change” consistently to describe the graph’s measure.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex sentences, including clauses linked with “while” and “which,” and the overall meaning can usually be followed. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly with subject–verb agreement, articles, and sentence construction. For example, “Copper and zinc has” should use a plural verb, and “nickel has recorded highest change” needs an article before “highest.” The sentence beginning “In general, nickel has recorded…” becomes difficult to follow because several ideas are joined without clear grammatical links. There are also tense and form problems in “later again rised.” Use past simple consistently for the 2014 data, check singular and plural subjects, and divide long sentences when the relationships between figures are unclear.

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