Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-07-26

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 illustrates the percentage of the population in four Asian countries ( Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia) living in the cities from 1970 to 202 and future prediction for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, Malaysia have the highest number of people living in the cities on the other hand Indonesia is the lowest in the beginning but surpassed Thailand and Philippine gradually by 2040. While Indonesia has same percentage in 1970 but gradually increasing.

In 1970, Malaysia and Philippines has same percentage on 30%. While we can see major rose of Malaysia in 1990 and decreased in Philippines. From their Malaysia continues upward trends faster however Philippines show decline from 1990 to 2010 and then moving upward.

Thailand and Indonesia has the Lowest percentage in the beginning. Thailand with 20% and Indonesia with 15%. They both follow the upward trend. Although, Indonesia show intend in 2000 and move upward and cross the Thailand and Philippines.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the graph, including the start and end points and the general trends. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial and contains inaccuracies regarding the data. For example, stating that Indonesia and Thailand had the same percentage in 1970 is incorrect based on the provided graph. Additionally, the description of the trends is occasionally confusing, such as the claim that the Philippines experienced a decrease in 1990, which is not clearly supported by the visual data. To reach a higher band, you should ensure that the data points cited are accurate and that the comparison between countries is more precise.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. Phrases like 'on the other hand' are used incorrectly to contrast countries, and the transition between sentences is sometimes abrupt. The referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult to track which country is being discussed. Improving the variety and accuracy of linking words (e.g., 'meanwhile', 'subsequently', 'in contrast') would significantly enhance the flow and logical progression of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for higher bands. There are several instances of word-choice errors, such as 'major rose' (should be 'major rise') and 'show intend' (which is unclear). The range of vocabulary is limited, relying on basic terms like 'upward trend' and 'lowest'. To improve, you should incorporate more varied and precise terminology related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'remained stable', or 'surpassed', and ensure that word forms are used correctly in context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'Malaysia have', 'Philippines has'), incorrect verb tenses (e.g., 'Indonesia show'), and missing articles. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of commas. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of these errors limits the score. Focusing on basic sentence construction and ensuring subject-verb agreement will help improve your accuracy.

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