Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 graph illustrates data about the proportion of the population in Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia that are living in cities between 1970 to 2020, also with upcoming for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the highest was in Malaysia with steady growth reaching the upper level surpassing other three countries from 1970 to 2040. Also Thailand growth was exceptional from 1970 to 1990 but it fell of after 2000.

In 1970, Philippines was at the peak of growth with 31% population and following that Malaysia was second with 30%. Thailand and Indonesia was the lowest among other country nearly 15% and 19%. But the scene was different in 2020 whereas Malaysia is domination with 60% population also with that Indonesia significantly grew from 15% to 28% in 2020.

In contrast, Philippines lost significant growth from 1990 to 2000 about 10% and an average rise in Thailand. With upcoming predictions four Asian countries will gain population frequently by 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the four countries and include an overview, noting Malaysia’s strong growth and changes in Thailand and the Philippines. However, several key details are inaccurate or unclear: in 2020 Malaysia was about 76%, not 60%, and Indonesia was about 52%, not 28%. The opening-year figures are also mixed up: the Philippines was around 32%, Thailand 18%, and Indonesia 14%, rather than the order and values stated. The overview incorrectly says Thailand fell after 2000; its urban share continued to rise, gradually at first and more quickly later. To strengthen the response, select the main trends accurately and compare the countries across the period, including the projected figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs containing details, so the reader can identify the broad purpose of each section. However, progression is uneven: the second paragraph gives an inaccurate overview, while the later paragraphs move between 1970, 2020 and earlier trends without a clear organising principle. Connectors such as “But the scene was different” and “In contrast” do not always make the relationship between the information clear. Some references, including “with that Indonesia,” are difficult to follow. Grouping the historical trends together and then describing the forecasts, with clear comparisons within each paragraph, would make the information easier to track.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “proportion,” “population,” “growth,” “predictions” and “surpassing,” and the meaning is generally recoverable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, sometimes making the description unclear. For example, “upcoming for 2030 and 2040” is not a natural way to introduce forecasts, “Malaysia is domination” uses the wrong form, and “gain population frequently” does not clearly describe a rising urban share. “Lost significant growth” is also an imprecise description of a decline. Aim for precise trend language such as “the proportion rose,” “declined,” “remained stable” and “is projected to reach,” and check word forms and natural combinations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “whereas” and “with,” but control is inconsistent. Errors occur in basic sentence patterns and agreement: “between 1970 to 2020” uses an incorrect preposition pattern, “Thailand and Indonesia was” has a subject–verb agreement error, and “Malaysia is domination” has an incorrect verb form. Articles and sentence construction are also problematic in phrases such as “with upcoming predictions four Asian countries will gain population frequently.” These errors sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to understand. Practise accurate past-tense descriptions for historical data and use “is projected to” for forecasts, while checking agreement and sentence boundaries.

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