Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The data presented in the chart illustrates the percentage of population living in cities from four Asian coutries over the period from 1970 to 2020 with predictions for the futur.

Overall, it is clear that the percentage incresed for every cities over the year. The most noticeable feature is that Malaysia is way higher than other cities since 2000. This country had 30% of the population living in cities in 1970 and this number increase dramatically between 1990 and 2000 and reach up to 75% in 2020. The predictions for the nexts 20 years are going to be up to 80% of the population living in cities.

Looking at the two lowest lines, Thailand and Indonesia had both less than 20% of the population living in the cities in 1970 before rising gradually. In 2000, Indonesia experienced a considerable increase reaching the peak of approximately 50% in 2020, she became the country in second position of ones mentionned in this chart. The predictions for 2020 and 2040 are also encouraging with 10% more.

In contrast, Thailand who start with a highest percentage than Indonesia, increase, but less. The peak is less than 30% in 2020, but the prediction for 2030 and 2040 are going up to 40%.

Meanwhile Phillippines experience a sudden drop in 2000 and 2010 falling from 45% in 1990 to 40%. By the end of the predictions period, Phillippines can hope to reach 50% of the population living in cities.

Overall, these lines highlight the contrasting trends between 1970 and 2020 and for the next two decades.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the overall upward movement and make relevant comparisons, especially noting Malaysia’s lead after 2000 and Indonesia’s rise to second place by 2020. The response also covers the historical period and forecasts. However, some key details are inaccurate or unclear: Malaysia reaches about 76% in 2020, not 75% after a rise “between 1990 and 2000” alone; Indonesia is already around 30.5% in 2000 and reaches about 52% in 2020, rather than a peak of 50%. Thailand is about 33.5% in 2020, not below 30%, and its 2040 projection is close to 50%, not 40%. The overview also overstates that every country’s figure increased continuously, since the Philippines declined after 1990. More precise reporting would strengthen coverage.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, paragraphs discussing the lower series and the Philippines, and a concluding sentence. Comparisons such as “In contrast” help signal relationships, and the reader can generally follow the account. However, progression is sometimes weakened by unclear references and awkward links. For example, “the two lowest lines” is not a stable description across the whole period, and “the predictions for 2020 and 2040” is confusing because 2020 is not a forecast period in the chart. The final overview repeats the opening generalisation rather than synthesising the main differences. Grouping the countries more consistently and using clearer references to years would make cohesion more reliable.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of trend language, including “increased,” “rising gradually,” “considerable increase,” “sudden drop,” and “falling,” which helps describe the graph. Some choices are imprecise or unnatural for formal data reporting, however: “encouraging” gives a subjective judgement, “way higher” is informal, and “the peak” is not appropriate when describing a value at a particular year. There are also spelling errors, including “coutries,” “incresed,” “Phillippines,” and “mentionned,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for neutral, precise collocations such as “stood at,” “rose to,” and “was projected to reach,” and check spelling carefully. The meaning remains understandable, but control is not yet consistently precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “before” and “while,” and most of the message remains understandable. Some grammatical errors recur, particularly in verb forms and agreement. For example, “this number increase” should be “this number increased,” “Thailand who start” needs “which started,” and “Phillippines experience” should be “the Philippines experienced.” There are also problems with articles and sentence construction, as in “the country in second position of ones mentionned,” and the comma splice in “In 2000, Indonesia experienced a considerable increase reaching the peak …, she became.” Use past tense consistently for completed years, and separate or join clauses with appropriate punctuation and conjunctions. These errors sometimes make relationships less clear.

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