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 given graph shows the information about the polulation living in cities of the 4 asian countries Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia lets summerise the percentage of polupation from 1970 to 2020 and then prediction of 2030 and 2040 with some major important points.

At first there is Philippines population was just above 30 percent in the year 1970 and it crosses 40% of population living in cities in the year 2020 which is above the 10% growth in population in 50 years, fortunately it was high in 1990.

Therefore the prediction of population of the year 2030 is going to reach 50% and 2040 is going to cross 50% as predicted.

On the othe hand Malaysia living population was 30% in the year 1970 while Thailand's population in cities were below 20% in 1970, Malaysia reaches near 80% population living in cities and Thailand was almost 30% in the year 2020. The prediction of these countries in the year 2030 and 2040 is Malaysia crosses the 80% and Thailand also breaks the 30% and most probably is going to grow.

At last we have Indonesia which was just above 10% in 1970 and was almost above the 50% population living in cities of Indonesia which marks a significant growth and the prediction is it will reach 60% in 2030 and will probably cross 60% in the year 2040

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify all four countries and include some relevant starting points, later figures and forecasts. For example, you note Malaysia’s rise from about 30% to nearly 80% by 2020 and Indonesia’s growth to above 50%, broadly matching the graph. However, the response only partially selects and reports the main features: it lacks a clear overview of the overall pattern and key comparisons, such as Malaysia becoming the most urbanised country and Indonesia overtaking the Philippines around 2010. Some details are inaccurate or vague: the Philippines was about 45.5% in 2020, not simply “above 40%,” and Thailand was about 33.5%, rather than “almost 30%.” Develop a concise overview and compare the countries’ trajectories more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic sequence, moving through the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand, then Indonesia, and paragraph breaks help separate these sections. Linking phrases such as “On the other hand” and “At last” show an attempt to guide the reader. However, the overall progression is not fully clear: the opening is an extended introduction, and the country-by-country account does not bring the main comparisons together. Some connections are mechanical or imprecise, while “Therefore” does not clearly express a logical result. Grouping countries by contrasting trends, and using clearer references and transitions, would make the report easier to follow. A separate overview paragraph would also give the information a stronger structure.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant basic terms such as “percentage,” “prediction,” “growth” and “significant growth,” so the general subject is understandable. However, the vocabulary is limited and several choices are inaccurate or repetitive. “Population” is repeatedly used where “proportion” or “share of the population” is intended, and “living population” is an unnatural phrase. Expressions such as “breaks the 30%” and “fortunately it was high” do not convey the trends appropriately. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “polulation,” “polupation” and “othe.” Use standard graph language such as “rose to,” “increased steadily,” “peaked at” and “was projected to reach,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt longer sentences and use some time references, but the range of sentence structures is limited and errors are frequent enough to make parts of the report awkward. For example, “At first there is Philippines population was” combines incompatible structures, while “Malaysia living population was 30%” lacks a clear grammatical construction. Tense and agreement are also inconsistent in phrases such as “Thailand's population in cities were below 20%” and “the prediction … is going to reach.” Articles and sentence boundaries need attention, particularly in the opening sentence, which runs several ideas together. Practise writing short, accurate comparisons first, then combine them using controlled clauses and consistent past-tense reporting for historical data.

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