Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-08

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 shows data about the percentage of citizens in fours asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020 with prediction for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, All countries experienced an increase in the number of population Malaysia showed a significant increased While, thailand had a flactuation , The others showed a steady rise.

In detail, Malaysia started at 30 in 1970 and increased steadily until 2020 and predectibly it will continue to grow.

Indonesia had the lowest starting from less than 20 in 1970 and rose sharply throught the years as well as became the secend popular.

Philipines began with bit more than 30 in 1970 and rose slowly until 1980 after that it increased sharp

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response4.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.0
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the topic and make a broad attempt at an overview, noting Malaysia’s growth and Indonesia’s rise. However, the overview is partly inaccurate: Thailand does not fluctuate; it increases gradually, while the Philippines rises and then falls before recovering. Some details are also misreported: Malaysia begins at about 30%, but Indonesia is the lowest at roughly 14%, and the response does not give the later figures or clearly compare all four countries. The final sentence is unfinished, leaving the Philippines’ trend incomplete, and Thailand is barely described. The response is also below the required 150 words, which limits the coverage and development of the main features. Include a complete overview and select key comparisons across the full period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response, beginning with an introduction, followed by an overview and then detail about individual countries. This gives the reader some sense of the intended structure. However, progression is limited because the details are incomplete and the response ends abruptly at “after that it increased sharp.” Connections between ideas are also unclear in places: “While” is used awkwardly in the overview, and the country-by-country comments do not build a clear comparison. Use complete paragraphs and sentences, group related trends together, and connect comparisons with accurate linking phrases such as “whereas” or “by contrast.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant task vocabulary, including “percentage,” “increased,” “started,” and “rose sharply,” so the general subject is understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms are inaccurate, including “number of population,” “significant increased,” and “secend popular.” Spelling errors such as “fours,” “asian,” “flactuation,” “predectibly,” and “Philipines” are noticeable and reduce clarity. Aim for precise terms for proportions and trends, and check spelling and word forms carefully. For example, describe a country as having the “second-highest urban population share,” rather than calling it “the second popular.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, and the opening sentence communicates the topic. However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to follow. For example, “All countries experienced an increase in the number of population Malaysia showed…” joins separate ideas without suitable punctuation or a conjunction. “Malaysia started at 30 in 1970 and increased steadily until 2020 and predictably it will continue to grow” also needs clearer clause structure and punctuation. The final sentence is incomplete. Practise forming complete sentences with accurate subject–verb patterns, articles and punctuation, and use a range of structures to compare past trends with predictions.

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