The graph below shows the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.
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Sample Response
The line graph illustrates monthly percentage changes in the prices of copper, nickel, and zinccopper, nickel and zinc throughout 2014, compared with the preceding month.
Overall, nickel recorded the most dramatic monthly change at the start of the year, yet its figures moderated substantially by year-end. Zinc underwent a prolonged downturn before staging a strong recovery from October onwards, while copper experienced persistent fluctuation. Notably, there was one month when all three metals registered declines.
Nickel's monthly price change stood at 6% in January, after which it entered a prolonged decline, plunging to -3% in Junereaching a fall of 3% in June. A brief uptick in July was followed by a renewed drop of 2% in October, before the figure stabilised at a 1% rise in both November and December. Copper began 2014 with a 2% increase, then turned negative, falling to roughly -0.5% in May and Junedropping by 1% in April and May. It subsequently recovered, holding at a 1% gain from July through September, rebounded to about 0.5% in Novemberslipped to a 1% decline in November, and finished the year with an increase of around 1.5%finished the year with no change.
Zinc peaked at a 3% rise in February. Its monthly change then weakened steadily, turning negative in Juneturning negative from April and touching a 1% fall in June. This rate remained at -0.5% between July and September before dipping to -1% in OctoberThis downward trend persisted until October, when a sharp turnaround occurred, and zinc closed the year with consecutive monthly increases, reaching a 2% rise in December.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response presents a exceptionally clear and accurate summary of the line graph with a well-defined overview and precise data comparisons throughout. Information is organized logically into distinct thematic paragraphs, using a sophisticated range of vocabulary and sentence structures. To reach the highest possible standard, the candidate could ensure minor descriptions of mid-year trends maintain complete data accuracy across all months.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
All main trends, key data points, and significant comparisons across all three metals are accurately highlighted and supported by a clear overview.
Ensure minor trend descriptions for intermediate months align seamlessly with every precise data point on the chart.
Coherence and Cohesion
Paragraphing is logical, ideas progress smoothly throughout the report, and cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively.
Maintain variety in transition words when moving between individual metal descriptions to enhance logical flow further.
Lexical Resource
A wide range of task-appropriate vocabulary is used with high precision to describe statistical changes and fluctuations.
Continue employing varied collocation patterns to describe subtle price movements without repeating similar verb phrases.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide variety of complex structures is produced with consistently high accuracy and strong control over punctuation.
Experiment with varied clause structures, such as participial phrases, to combine data points smoothly.