Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-30

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 depicts the average monthy change in the prices of metals like copper, nickel and zinc during 2014.

Overall, price of zinc metal was higher than other two metals. Nickel metal faced a sharp decline in percentage of price, whereas it fluctated in the case of copper metal.

The price change of zinc was 1% in January. This figure rose to 3% in February before declining to -1 % in june. Till the month of october, the change in price remained approximately stabled between -1 and 0 %. In November, the price of zinc significantly increased to 1.5% , followed by 2% in December.

On the other hand, the price of nickel was 6% in January which sharply fell to 1% in march. This fall was followed by an another fall of -3 % in june. This figure slightly increased to -1 percent in july and remained stable till the month of September. Then it again decreased to -2 % before increasing to 1% in November and December . The change in price percentage of copper fluctuated the whole year. It was 2% in January. This value dropped between -1 and 0% . in july , it increased to 1% . After remaining stable for 3 months, it decreased to 0.5% and then rose to 1.5% in December

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover all three metals and identify several important movements, including nickel’s sharp fall to a low of about -3% in June and the late-year rises in zinc and nickel. However, the overview is not fully accurate: saying zinc’s price change was higher than the other metals overlooks nickel’s much higher figures in January and February. The copper account also misses its small declines in May and June and describes its July–September values as stable without clearly setting out the modest changes. To strengthen the response, give a more balanced overview of the metals’ contrasting patterns and report the main turning points precisely, while distinguishing a monthly percentage change from the metal’s price itself.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by details about zinc, nickel and copper. This makes the information generally easy to follow, and phrases such as “On the other hand” help signal a shift between metals. However, the overview’s comparison is unclear, and the final paragraph moves from nickel to copper without a clear paragraph break or transition. Some sequencing is also awkward, as in “This fall was followed by an another fall,” while repeated references to “this figure” can make the subject less precise. Use separate, clearly organised detail paragraphs and vary referencing so each comparison and trend is easy to track.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “sharply fell,” “remained stable,” “fluctuated” and “increased,” which communicates the main movements. There are also some inaccurate or unnatural choices that limit precision: “price of zinc metal was higher” suggests an absolute price comparison, although the graph shows monthly percentage changes, and “fluctated” is misspelled. “Monthy,” “stabled” and “significantly increased” are also problematic; the last overstates the rise from 0.5% to 1.5%. Aim for precise chart language such as “monthly change,” “rose” and “fell,” and check spelling and collocations. This would make the vocabulary more natural and accurate without requiring unnecessarily complex terms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use both simple and more complex sentence forms, including “This figure rose to 3% in February before declining…” and “After remaining stable for 3 months, it decreased…”. Most meanings remain clear, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “price of zinc metal” needs an article or plural form, and “an another fall” has an incorrect determiner. The sentence beginning “This value dropped between -1 and 0% . in july” has faulty punctuation and sentence boundaries; capitalisation is also inconsistent. There are occasional agreement and article issues, as in “price change of zinc was 1%.” Review articles, determiners, punctuation and sentence boundaries, while retaining the range of structures you already attempt.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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