Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-10

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 compares the proportion of popullation in four various countries who lived in cities between 1970 and 2020 and also prediction for next two decades.

Overall, the figure rose dramatically throughout the period. The malaysia recorded the highest proportion of population, while thailand accounted for the lowest percentage of individuals who's live in cities over the period.

From 1970 to 2020, the malaysian and indonesian people increased significantly, recorded at 60% and 30% in 2000, respectively. The prediction is that they will be climbed dramatically and reached 80% and 60%, respectively.

On the other hand, the philippian and thailand people recorded fluctuated. The number of philipian poeple recorded 50% in 1990 and around 22% in 1990. The number of people declined from 1990 to 2010 and recorded approximately 40 to 5

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the graph’s subject and attempt an overview, noting that Malaysia has the highest urban share and that the figures generally rise. However, the overview is inaccurate in saying Thailand is the lowest throughout: the Philippines is lower than Thailand in 1970 and 1980. Several details are also misreported or unclear, including the claim that the Philippines reached “around 22%” in 1990, when it was about 48%; the figure appears to confuse a value or year. The final comparison is cut off, and the response does not adequately cover the Philippines and Thailand trends or the full forecast period. It is also 17 words below the required minimum. Select the main turning points and give accurate, complete comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs grouping countries. This gives the reader some sense of how the information is organised, and “On the other hand” signals a contrast. However, progression is limited because the country groupings are not developed into clear comparisons, and the final sentence stops mid-figure (“approximately 40 to 5”), leaving the account unfinished. Some links are also unclear: “From 1970 to 2020” is followed by figures for 2000 and forecasts without a clear sequence, while “respectively” requires an unambiguous pairing. Use complete sentences and organise the body chronologically or by contrasting trends, with clear references to years and countries.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “proportion,” “prediction,” “declined,” and “fluctuated,” and you attempt to describe trends rather than simply list figures. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms make the meaning difficult to follow. Phrases such as “four various countries,” “the Malaysian and Indonesian people increased,” and “they will be climbed” are not natural ways to describe urbanisation data. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “popullation,” “philippian,” and “poeple.” Prefer precise terms such as “urban population share” and “the proportion of people living in cities,” and check spelling and collocations carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more developed sentence forms, including a contrast introduced by “On the other hand” and a forecast sentence. However, control is inconsistent, and errors frequently affect clarity. For example, “The prediction is that they will be climbed” uses an incorrect passive construction; write “their proportions are predicted to climb.” In “who's live in cities,” the relative clause has an incorrect verb form, and “the figure rose” does not clearly agree with the plural data being described. The final sentence is incomplete, so its grammar and meaning cannot be fully understood. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, verb forms for predictions, and complete sentence construction before adding more complex structures.

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.