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 represents the data about percentage of population in four asian nations, that live in city between 1970 to 2020 and future predictions for 2030 to 2040.

Overall, the trend for living in cities has increased over time and in future it also shows positive development. The Malaysia has the most percentage of people that lived in cities, following by Indonesia. The percentage of Thailand and Philipines has also increased overtime with some fluctuations.

The percentage of the population of Malaysia starts from 30%,and it faces sharp incline in next decades and reported for around 75% in 2020 with the future prediction of over 80% by 2040 making it highest percentage among all. The percentage of population of Indonesia reported at below 15% in 1970, remained positive till 2020 and accounted for around 50%. It is predicted that it will reach around 60% in 2040.

The poplution percentage of city inhabitants of Thailand accounts for just below 20% in 1970, reached just below 30% in 1990. After that the percentage almost remained stable with little fluctuations and reported for around 30% in 2020. Its predicted that the percentage will rise around 45% by 2040. The Philippines population percentage started from just over 30% gots its peak in 1990 by reaching around 50%, after that it faces dip and reached its lowest by around 40% in 2010. It is predicted that the percentage will rise again and will account for around 50% by 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You provide a clear overview of the broad upward trend and identify Malaysia as the highest, while describing the contrasting rise in Indonesia and the fluctuations in the Philippines. Most figures are reasonably aligned with the graph. However, some details are inaccurate or imprecise: Indonesia is about 52% in 2020 and is forecast to reach roughly 64% in 2040, rather than around 60%; Thailand is about 33.5% in 2020, not around 30%. The overview also says Malaysia leads “following by Indonesia,” although the Philippines is slightly higher than Indonesia in 1970 and 1980. This covers the main features well, but more precise comparisons and fuller reporting of the changing rankings would strengthen it further.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall structure: an introduction and overview are followed by paragraphs describing Malaysia and Indonesia, then Thailand and the Philippines. This grouping makes the information easy to follow, and phrases such as “After that” and “It is predicted” help signal sequence and forecast. However, some linking is repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “The percentage” and “It is predicted,” and the comparisons between countries are limited. A few references are also unclear, as in “remained positive till 2020,” which does not specify the trend or the figures being discussed. Use more varied, precise links and connect the countries’ trajectories directly to improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for describing trends, including “sharp incline,” “fluctuations,” “peak,” “dip,” and “predicted.” These choices communicate the main movements, although some are imprecise or unnatural in context: “remained positive” does not clearly describe Indonesia’s rise, and “reported for around 75%” is not a natural way to state a figure. There are also spelling errors in “asian,” “Philipines,” and “poplution,” alongside repeated use of “percentage” and “population.” Aim for accurate collocations and a wider set of trend verbs, while checking spelling and capitalisation of country names. This would make the description more precise and fluent.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including time clauses such as “After that the percentage almost remained stable” and forecast constructions such as “It is predicted that the percentage will rise.” Meaning is generally clear, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “The Malaysia has” uses an unnecessary article, “The percentage … has also increased” has a subject–verb agreement problem when referring to two countries, and “started from just over 30% gots its peak” has a faulty verb form and sentence structure. Commas are also missing after introductory phrases, and spacing around punctuation is inconsistent. Review articles, agreement, past-tense forms, and sentence boundaries to improve accuracy while retaining your range of structures.

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