Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

Introduction:

The graph above shows the percentage of the population in four asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2040.

Overview:

In this graph population four countries (Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia ) are discussed. This graph tells us that population of these countries are increasing day by day.

Body paragraph 1:

In 1970 , percentage of total population of Philippines was 31%, Malaysia 30% , Thailand 19% and Indonesia 14%. In 1980 , it was 31% again ,40% , 22% , 14% respectively. But in 1990, it was 49% , 48% , 28%, 25% . And in 2000, it was decreased to 45% , 59% , 25% , 25%. Almost every country percentage is increased except Philippines. It first increased then decreased and then again increased. While other is constant or just increased.

Body paragraph 2:

In year 2010, percentage of total population of philippines was decreased to 40% , Malaysia was increased to 60% , Thailand was constant to 25% and Indonesia was also increased to 35% . In 2020 it was 42% , 75% , 25% , 48%. And in coming year it predicts the percentage which is going high .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the graph, but the analysis is largely a list of data points rather than a summary of trends. While you identify the countries and the general upward movement, the description of the data is repetitive and lacks a clear, analytical focus. You mention that the percentage 'is going high' for the future, but you do not provide specific details for the 2030 and 2040 predictions, which are key parts of the prompt. To improve, focus on grouping data by trends (e.g., countries with rapid growth versus those with stable growth) rather than listing every figure for every year.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organised into paragraphs, but the flow between sentences is mechanical. You rely heavily on listing data chronologically, which makes the text feel like a series of isolated facts rather than a cohesive report. Cohesive devices are limited and often repetitive (e.g., 'In 1970', 'In 1980', 'In 1990'). The use of referencing is sometimes unclear, such as 'While other is constant', which does not clearly specify which country you are referring to. Improving the use of linking words and transition phrases would help create a smoother progression of ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. You frequently use basic verbs like 'increased', 'decreased', and 'was'. There is a lack of sophisticated vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', 'surpassed', or 'projected'. Additionally, there are some minor errors in word choice and capitalization, such as 'asian' (should be 'Asian') and 'philippines' (should be 'Philippines'). To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate a wider range of synonyms and more precise terminology for describing statistical changes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple sentence structures. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('the percentage', 'the population') and subject-verb agreement ('population of these countries are increasing'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before commas (e.g., '1970 ,'). While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of complex sentence structures and the presence of persistent errors in basic grammar limit the score. Focusing on sentence variety and proofreading for article usage would significantly improve the quality of your writing.

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