Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-07-24

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 7.0)

The line graph illustrates the percentages of the population in four Asian countries (Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia) from 1970 to 2040. The data are measured in percentages.

Overall, Malaysia is projected to record the highest percentages throughout the period, whereas Thailand is expected to remain the lowest. the proportion of people living in cities is forecast to increase in all four nations.

It is clear from the data that the percentage of the population living in cities in Malaysia increased steadily from around 30% in 1970 to 70% in 2010. It is projected to continue rising and reach at 76% in 2020 before peaking at approximately 83% by 2040. Similarly, the figure for the Philippines rose from just 30% to 50% in 1990. It then declined slightly to 45% before it is expected to reach around 56% in 2040.

Now turning to the details, in Indonesia the proportion rose gradually from about 13% in 1970 to nearly 43% in 2010. It is forecast to continue increasing steadily, reach around 65% by 2040. Thailand Showed figure increased from around 18% in 1970 to 30% in 2010 and it is expected to increase gradually to about 50% by the end of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response covers all requirements of the task. You have identified the main trends and made relevant comparisons between the four countries. The overview is clear and highlights the key differences in growth patterns. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in data reporting; for instance, you mention Malaysia reached 76% in 2020, whereas the graph shows it is a projection for 2030. Additionally, the description of the Philippines' trend is slightly confusing regarding the specific years. To improve, ensure that data points are mapped precisely to the years provided in the graph to avoid factual errors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'Similarly', 'Now turning to the details', and 'whereas' to link ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the paragraphing could be more balanced. The second body paragraph starts with 'Now turning to the details', which is a bit abrupt. Using more varied linking phrases and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would improve the flow and cohesion of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'projected', 'proportion', 'peaking', and 'gradually'. There are some minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'Thailand Showed figure increased', which is grammatically awkward. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease' and ensure that your sentence structures allow for more natural collocations. Overall, the vocabulary is adequate to convey your meaning clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical slips, such as 'reach at 76%' (should be 'reach 76%') and 'Thailand Showed figure increased' (which lacks a proper subject-verb structure). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions when describing data. Increasing the variety of complex structures while maintaining accuracy will help elevate your score in this criterion.

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