Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-07-28

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 8.5)

The line graph illustrates the percentage of people living in urban areas in four Asian countries— the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia—between 1970 and 2020, with projections for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the proportion of people living in cities is expected to increase in all four countries. Malaysia records the highest level of urbanisation throughout most of the period and is predicted to remain the leader by 2040. In contrast, Thailand has the lowest figures for much of the timeline, although its urban population is also expected to rise steadily.

In 1970, around one-third of the population in both the Philippines and Malaysia lived in cities, compared with approximately 18% in Thailand and 14% in Indonesia. By 1990, the Philippines had become the most urbanised country, at just under 50%, while Malaysia followed closely at about 45%.

After 1990, Malaysia experienced the most significant growth, reaching around 70% in 2010 and rising further to approximately 83% by 2040. Indonesia also saw rapid urbanisation, increasing from about 30% in 2000 to over 60% by the end of the period. By comparison, the Philippines experienced a slight decline after 1990 before recovering to roughly 55% in 2040. Thailand showed the slowest growth overall, climbing gradually from around 18% in 1970 to an estimated 50% by 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response effectively addresses all requirements of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the trends and successfully selected key data points to illustrate the main features of the graph. The comparisons between the four countries are accurate and well-integrated into the narrative. You have correctly identified the overall upward trend and highlighted the specific positions of Malaysia and Thailand as the highest and lowest, respectively. The inclusion of data for the start, middle, and end points of the period demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the information provided. No significant information is omitted, and the predictions for 2030 and 2040 are correctly incorporated into the analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two body paragraphs that group information effectively. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving chronologically and then by country-specific trends. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'By comparison', and 'while' are used appropriately to link sentences and clauses. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the general trends from the more detailed data analysis. The flow of information is natural, and the reader can easily follow the comparison between the four nations throughout the timeline.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response. Terms such as 'projections', 'urbanisation', 'proportion', and 'steadily' are used accurately. The language is precise and conveys the intended meaning without ambiguity. While the vocabulary is functional and effective, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'increase' and 'growth' to reach the highest band. However, the current range is sufficient to support a high score, and there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response exhibits a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('while Malaysia followed closely', 'although its urban population is also expected to rise'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to manage complex information. There are no significant grammatical slips that distract the reader. The control over tense usage—shifting between past data and future projections—is handled with precision, which is essential for this type of task. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.