Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-05

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The graph below gives information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

 

Student answer (Band 6.0)

The line graph illustrates the percentage of citizens living in cities of four countries from 1970 to 2020 and also the predictions for 2040. Overall Malaysia has most population living in cities in 2020 and onwards while Thailand had least population in cities following the year 2020 and future predictions.

Firstly, Malaysia had only 30% city population in 1970, then it rose till 1980 and 1990. There was a sudden increase in population till 2010. Afterwards the population of cities kept on increasing steadily as 75% in 2020 and with prediction of 80% in 2040. Secondly, Philippines had around 33% city population in 1970 which growed slowly till 1980. The percentage of population inclined for the next decade while it again dropped until 2010. Then it gradually moved up in the coming years till 2040. Thirdly, Thailand's city population steadily increased from 1970 to 1990 whereas it almost remained constant the next decade and started to rose up again slowly from 2000 to 2020. The future predictions show rapid rise in population for the next two decades. Fourthly, Indonesia population percent had a continuous incline for 1970 to 2000. Futhermore, the city population jumped up from 2000 to 2020 reaching 50% and future predictions also show a slow increase in populations of cities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad upward trends and provide an overview that Malaysia is highest while Thailand is lowest in the later period. Several relevant details are also included, such as Malaysia’s rise and the Philippines’ dip before recovery. However, coverage is uneven: the overview does not mention Indonesia’s strong growth or the Philippines’ fluctuating pattern, and the account of Indonesia ends without a clear comparison or final figure. Some details are imprecise: Malaysia reaches about 76% in 2020 and 84% in 2040, rather than 75% and 80%; Thailand is not the lowest after 2020, since the Philippines remains lower through 2040. Also, the graph includes predictions from 2030, which are not explicitly discussed. Select and compare the key features more accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introductory overview is followed by descriptions of the four countries, and sequencing expressions such as “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “Thirdly” help readers follow the order. The main progression is generally understandable. However, listing each country in turn makes the comparisons between them limited, and the repeated ordinal transitions feel mechanical. Some references are also vague, as in “the next decade” and “the coming years,” where naming the years would make the timeline clearer. Grouping countries with similar or contrasting trends, and using a concluding comparison, would create a more connected account. Overall, the organisation is coherent, though cohesion and referencing are not consistently precise.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of trend vocabulary, including “steadily increased,” “remained constant,” “dropped,” “gradually,” and “predictions.” These choices make the main movements understandable, and you attempt some variation rather than relying only on “increased.” However, several expressions are imprecise or unnatural for describing a percentage, such as “city population,” “population of cities,” and “incline.” There are also spelling and word-form errors, including “Futhermore” and “growed.” Repetition of “population” and “increase” limits flexibility. Use standard terms such as “urban population” or “proportion living in cities,” and choose precise verbs such as “rose,” “climbed,” or “declined.” This would make the description more natural and accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more extended sentence forms, including clauses linked with “while,” “whereas,” and “as.” Most sentences communicate the intended trend, and errors rarely prevent understanding. Some grammatical problems remain, however. For example, “which growed slowly” has an incorrect verb form, and “started to rose up” uses the wrong form after “to.” The opening overview also needs clearer sentence boundaries and punctuation: “Overall Malaysia…” should be separated with a comma, and the contrast between the two countries would be clearer in a carefully structured sentence. There are occasional issues with articles and phrasing, such as “Indonesia population percent.” Check verb forms after auxiliaries and infinitives, and proofread sentence structure and punctuation.

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