The graph below shows the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.
Sample Response
The line graph depicts monthly percentage shifts in the prices of copper, nickel, and zinccopper, nickel and zinc throughout 2014, showing how each metal’s value changedaltered compared with the preceding month. Overall, nickel recordedboasted the most dramatic price increase in Januaryearly-year price surge in January, yet its month-on-month gains were subdued by December. Zinc underwent a sustained downward trendtendency in the middle of the year before staging a strong recovery after Octoberfrom October onwards, while copper displayed constant volatility. Furthermore, June was the only month in which all three metals saw month-on-month price falls. Nickel prices rose by 6% in January, commencing a long decline that culminated in a 3% monthly price drop in June. After fluctuating, the metal hit another low point with a 2% monthly fall in October, and finally stabilised with a 1% monthly increase in November and December. Copper began with a 2% price rise in January and drifted downwards, turning negative in May (-0.5%) and June (-0.5%)turning negative in May and June . It then recovered and sustained a 1% month-on-month gain between July and September. Turning to zinc,As for zinc, its peak monthly growth of 3% occurred in February. Prices then weakened and fell to -1%fell by 1% in June. Negative monthly changes persisted from June to OctoberMonthly price drops occurred from June to October, after which zinc experienced continuous growth, ending the year with a 2% monthly increase.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response provides an exceptionally accurate and well-structured report with a clear overview and highly precise data presentation. The main limitation is a slight minor overlap in the reporting of individual trends in the body paragraphs rather than synthesizing integrated comparisons across all three metals. To improve further, group the data by specific time intervals to compare the three metals concurrently within body paragraphs.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
Key trends and individual data points are accurately identified and supported by exact figures from the graph.
Integrate comparative analysis directly into the body paragraphs alongside the timeline descriptions.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information is logically organized into distinct paragraphs with effective cohesive devices that ensure clear progression.
Vary transitions between body paragraphs to make the shift from one commodity to another feel even more natural.
Lexical Resource
A wide range of vocabulary related to trends and numerical changes is used accurately and flexibly.
Incorporate a wider range of precise terms for static levels and minor fluctuations to avoid repeating verbs like fell or dropped.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Sentence structures are varied and complex, exhibiting a consistently high degree of grammatical accuracy.
Maintain this level of syntactic control while attempting more complex compound-complex sentence structures.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The graph below shows the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.