Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-12

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 line graph tracks the population of four asian countries over the period of 50 years from 1970 to 2020 and also the prediction of next 20 years, 2030 and 2040.

Overall, population in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia increased considerably, while Philippines experienced some fluctuations. In contrast, according to the pridiction the sequence of percentage of population will stay the same in next 20 years where Philippines will have the highest population and Thailand with lowest.

In 1970, Philippines had the highest population at 32% point, whereas Indonesia had the lowest at 14% point. Malaysia took over before 1980 and became the county with most population, however before 1990 Philippines took over again. But after 1990, Malaysia's population Increased rapidly and went to the highest at around 75% point. Meanwhile, Indonesia showed a sudden rise and left Thiland behind in 2000 and Philippines in 2010 becoming the second most populated country.

According to the pridiction, the population in all the contries will keep rising with almost the same pace. Consequently, the population for each country in 2040 will be about; 82% point for Malaysia, 60% point for Indonesia, 50% point for Philippines and 45% point for Thailand.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall pattern: Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia rise, while the Philippines fluctuates, and you compare the countries at the beginning and end. Several key details are also accurately selected, including Indonesia overtaking Thailand around 2000 and the Philippines around 2010. However, the overview misstates the forecast ranking: Malaysia, not the Philippines, is projected to remain highest, while Thailand is lowest. The final figures also underestimate Thailand at about 45% rather than roughly 50%, and the claim that all countries rise at “almost the same pace” overlooks their different rates. Develop the overview around the clear projected ranking and distinguish the stronger growth in Indonesia and Malaysia from the slower rise in Thailand.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear four-paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to historical details and then forecasts. Its sequence is generally easy to follow, and transitions such as “Overall,” “Meanwhile,” and “According to the prediction” help signal relationships between points. This coherent organisation is a strength. Some linking is less precise, however: “before 1980” and “before 1990” make the timing of the Philippines–Malaysia changes sound more exact than the data supports, while “Consequently” does not express a clear cause-and-effect relationship between the forecast and the figures. The overview also conflicts with the later forecast details, which weakens the progression. Use more direct time references and ensure the overview and supporting paragraph present the same ranking.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of language for describing trends and comparisons, including “fluctuations,” “increased considerably,” “took over,” and “second most populated.” These choices make the main movements understandable. However, some expressions are imprecise or unnatural for a graph report: “population” is repeatedly used where “urban population share” or “percentage living in cities” is intended, and “32% point” is not a natural way to report a percentage. There are also spelling errors, including “asian,” “pridiction,” “Thiland,” and “contries,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for consistent, precise chart vocabulary and check spelling; for example, describe Malaysia’s figure as “around 76% of the population living in cities,” rather than “75% point.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “while,” “whereas,” and “however.” Most sentences communicate the intended trend, and errors rarely prevent understanding. Some grammatical inaccuracies remain. For example, “the prediction of next 20 years” needs a more complete construction such as “predictions for the next 20 years,” and “the sequence of percentage of population will stay the same” has an unclear noun structure. In “Philippines will have the highest population,” the country name needs an article, and “the population for each country in 2040 will be about;” uses punctuation incorrectly before the list. Work on articles, natural noun phrases, and punctuation around introductory phrases and lists while retaining your varied sentence structures.

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