Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-02

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 8.0)

The line graph illustrates the proportion of the total population lived in the cities in the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia during the time period from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, it can be seen that while Malasia rose consistently over the period, the Philippines followed the opposite trajectory.

To commence with, in 1970, the Philippines exhibited the highest proportion of urban population at approximately 25%, which increased steadily to around 55% by 2020. Projections indicate that this figure will exceed 80% by 2040. Malaysia began with a lower percentage of about 20% in 1970 but demonstrated a consistent growth trajectory, reaching about 50% in 2020 and is expected to approach 70% by 2040. Thailand's urban population percentage began at roughly 20% in 1970 and rallied to around 50% in 2020, with future estimates suggesting it may also reach 70% by 2040, indicating parallel growth to Malaysia.

Conversely, Indonesia had the lowest urbanization rates among the four countries, starting at approximately 15% in 1970. This figure rose to about 40% by 2020. The projections for 2030 and 2040 show that Indonesia's urban population will continue to rise, ultimately surpassing 60% by 2040. Thus, while it trails behind its regional neighbors, it demonstrates a clear upward momentum in urbanization, marking a significant shift in demographic trends.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response covers all requirements of the task. You have identified the main trends and provided comparisons between the four countries throughout the period. The overview is clear, although there is a factual error in your summary: you state the Philippines followed an 'opposite trajectory' to Malaysia, but the data shows both countries experienced growth. Despite this minor inaccuracy in interpretation, the key features are well-selected and the data is accurately reported. The response is well-structured and addresses the prompt effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central focus, moving from the overview to the specific country data. Cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'Conversely', and 'Thus' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different groups of data. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between the countries is clearly articulated, making the information easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'consistent growth trajectory', 'rallied to', and 'upward momentum' show a good level of precision. There is one minor spelling error ('Malasia' instead of 'Malaysia'), but this does not impede communication. You use a variety of terms to describe trends, which helps to maintain interest and clarity. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the information accurately and with some sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free, and the control of grammar is generally strong. There is a minor grammatical slip in the opening sentence: 'the proportion of the total population lived in the cities' should be 'living in the cities' or 'who lived in the cities'. However, these are rare, non-systematic errors that do not affect the overall clarity of the report. The punctuation is accurate throughout.

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