Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The line graph illustrates, the percentage of the population in four asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the trend were increasing throughout the period. The population in Malaysia increased massively from 30 to 80. While, population in Indonesia rose approxiately,12 to 60.

In 1970, the population in Malaysia rose massivly. In addition, total population of Indonesia were also increased. In 2000, the population percentage in cities increased heavily.

In addition, the population of Philippines gradually inceased between 1970 and 1990. Whie, after 1990 the population number gradually changed. On the other hand, Thailand slighlty change from 1970 to 2040. The whole trend is about going to upward over time period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the broad upward direction and mention all four countries, but the response only minimally reports the graph’s main features. The overview that Malaysia and Indonesia rose is relevant, yet “the trend were increasing throughout” is too general: the Philippines fluctuated, while Thailand rose gradually, and these contrasts are not clearly summarised. Several details are inaccurate or unclear: Malaysia did not rise in 1970, and the statement that Thailand changed only slightly overlooks its increase from about 18% to nearly 50%. The figures for Indonesia are also understated at the start and end. The response is 98 words, below the required 150, which limits the detail and comparisons you can provide. Select key start/end figures and describe the countries’ differing patterns.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is some basic organisation: an opening sentence is followed by an overview and then further country-related statements. However, the progression is difficult to follow because the body does not group or compare the data consistently. For example, “In 1970, the population in Malaysia rose massively” is confusing because it gives no time comparison, and the following sentence about Indonesia does not clarify the trend. Linking words such as “In addition” and “On the other hand” are used, but they do not always show a clear relationship between the ideas. The final sentence repeats the general upward trend rather than adding a useful conclusion. Organise the report into an overview and two focused comparison paragraphs, and use time points to guide the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

Your vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the general topic, with relevant terms such as “percentage,” “predictions,” “gradually,” and “increased.” However, the range is limited and several choices are repetitive or imprecise: “massively” and “heavily” are used for changes without specifying their scale, while “population number” does not accurately describe the percentage shown. Spelling errors, including “approxiately,” “massivly,” “inceased,” “Whie,” and “slighlty,” are noticeable and reduce the clarity and polish of the report. Use precise trend language and check spelling carefully. For example, distinguish a sharp rise from a gradual increase, and describe the proportion of people living in cities rather than the population itself.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response uses mostly short, simple statements, with an attempt at a more complex contrast in “While, after 1990 the population number gradually changed.” That attempt is not formed as a complete sentence, and the comma after “While” is inappropriate. There are also recurring errors in verb agreement and tense, such as “the trend were increasing” and “Indonesia were also increased.” The opening sentence has an unnecessary comma after “illustrates,” and “the population in Malaysia rose” lacks a clear time frame or comparison. These errors make some relationships difficult to interpret, although the general topic remains understandable. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and agreement, and combine clauses with clear structures such as “Although the Philippines rose until 1990, its figure then fluctuated.”

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.