Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-07-31

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 given graph illustrates the information about the percentage of people living in cities in four Asian countries the Philippines, Malysia, Thailand and Indonesia between 1970 and 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

overall, in 2040, 85% of population living in Malaysia. lowest population will be noted in Thailand around 45% in 2040. in 2000 Indonesia and Thailand population was the same.

firstly, in 1970, Philippines and Malaysia had almost similar population. in 2010 Philippines and Indonesia had similar population around 40%. from 1970 to 2020 percentage of population increased up to 75%. Thailand population stable between the 1990 to 2020. after that it rapidly grow.

secondly, in 2030 and 2040, population percentage will increase up to 75% in Malaysia. after 2020, Thailand population continuously increase up to 45% in the end of prediction. in 2040 Indonesian population will reach up to 60%. Malaysian population will high as compares to remaining three cities. Philippines population will high as compared to Thailand and low as compared to Indonesia

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the graph, identifying trends and making comparisons. However, the analysis is somewhat inconsistent and contains inaccuracies regarding the data (e.g., stating 85% for Malaysia in 2040 when the graph shows a lower figure, and claiming Thailand's population was stable between 1990 and 2020 when the graph shows a clear upward trend). While the overview is present, it lacks precision and fails to highlight the most significant trends effectively. The response addresses the task requirements, but the data interpretation is flawed in several instances, which limits the overall clarity and accuracy of the report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes repetitive (e.g., starting sentences with 'firstly', 'secondly'). There are issues with logical progression; the transition between the overview and the body paragraphs is abrupt. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the flow between sentences is hindered by the lack of varied linking words. While the paragraphing is present, the internal cohesion within paragraphs needs more development to achieve a higher score.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'population increased' and 'population will high' are used frequently. There is a lack of variety in reporting verbs and descriptive adjectives. Some word choices are inaccurate, such as referring to countries as 'cities'. To improve, you should incorporate a wider range of synonyms and more precise collocations related to data description, such as 'upward trend', 'fluctuate', or 'projected to reach'. The current range is sufficient to convey meaning but lacks the flexibility required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement ('Thailand population stable', 'Malaysian population will high') and the omission of articles. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with many sentences lacking proper capitalization or ending punctuation. While the meaning is generally clear despite these errors, the lack of complex structures and the high frequency of basic grammatical mistakes prevent a higher score. Focusing on sentence variety and proofreading for basic errors will significantly improve your writing.

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