Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-09

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 5.5)

The line graph illustrates the precentage of popullaition in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020 also show pridiction for 2030 to 2040

Overall, all contries population rises,The most increase was seen in Malaysia and least population increase in Thailand.However Philippines and Indonesia populaion also increase whith years.

In 1970 more then 30 percent people in Philippines live in cities, compared with approximately 30% in Malaysia. The figure for Thailand and Indonesia is much lower, at 18% and 13% recpectively. By 1990, the percentage of Philippines had reach nearly 50%, making it the heighest among the four countries at that time.

However, Malaysia experianced reaching 60% in 2000 and approximatly at 75% in 2020. Meanwhile, the figure for indonesia also rach 52% in 2020.

In contrast, the Philippines show fluctuated slightly,while Thailand showed gradual increase.

In 2040, Malaysia is predicted to rach approximately 85%, followed Indonesia at 65%, the Philippines at 53% and Thailand at 50%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the overall upward trend and make relevant comparisons, including Malaysia’s strong growth and the Philippines’ early lead in 1990. Several figures are broadly accurate, such as the Philippines at about 32% in 1970 and Indonesia at roughly 52% in 2020. However, the overview is imprecise: Thailand did not have the smallest increase overall; its rise was greater than the Philippines’, while the Philippines’ figure fluctuated. Some key stages are omitted, and the final figures are slightly overstated, though still close to the chart. The response is also 148 words, below the required 150, and should be extended with a little more relevant detail to cover the trends more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing earlier and later data. Time markers such as “By 1990,” “Meanwhile,” and “In 2040” help the reader follow the chronology. However, progression is uneven because the account jumps between countries and years without consistently grouping comparable trends. The overview’s claims are not clearly developed in the body, and the short paragraph beginning “However, Malaysia…” combines several separate comparisons. Some linking is also awkward or mechanically applied, as in “However” before Malaysia’s rise. Grouping the countries by pattern—for example, Malaysia and Indonesia’s sustained growth versus the Philippines’ fluctuation—would make the comparisons clearer and more cohesive.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “predicted,” “compared with,” “figure,” and “gradual increase,” so the main trends can generally be understood. However, the range is limited and several spelling errors are conspicuous, including “precentage,” “popullaition,” “pridiction,” and “experianced.” Some word choices and collocations are also inaccurate or unnatural: “all countries population rises” and “the most increase” do not express the trends clearly. Repetition of “figure” and “increase” further limits flexibility. Aim to use accurate trend language such as “the proportion rose,” “increased steadily,” and “remained comparatively low,” while checking spelling and choosing natural collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a comparison with “compared with” and a time clause beginning “By 1990.” However, grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. For example, “all contries population rises” lacks a possessive form and has an inconsistent verb form, while “the percentage of Philippines had reach” has problems with the article and verb construction. Tense and agreement are also inconsistent in “the Philippines show fluctuated slightly.” Punctuation is often missing or misplaced, particularly where sentences run together after the overview. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build sentences around clear subjects and verbs before adding comparisons.

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.