Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-03

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 5.0)

This is a line chart it gives information about the percentage of the population in four asian countries which are Philippines , Malaysia , Thailand and Indonesia from year 1970 to 2020 with predictions for the year 2030 and 2040

In the year 1970 Malaysia is slightly below Philippines where Malaysia is at 30% exactly and Philippines is slightly above but by the year 1990 Malaysia had the big jump from the other 3 countries where their population has increased from between 40-50% to 80% by the year 2040 while the other countries stayed below. On the other hand we can see that Philippines the country that started with the most percentage they have gone all the way to near 50% percent in the year 1990 but after that they have dropped all the way to near 40% and then ended in 2040 near above 50%. Talking about Thailand was below 20% around 19-18% which makes is the third country with the least percentage they havent dropped at all from the year 1970 to the year 2040 they were increasing yet at the end by 2040 they became the last country between all four countries with percentage between 40-50%. However in Indonesia it is interesting how tby the year in 1970 they were the least country between all four countries with percenatge between 10-20% and they have ended in second place with near 60% which makes it interesting like Malaysia.

In conclusion we can see that all four countries from 1970 to 2040 they have all increased from the starting point yet some countries from the beginning they had less poplution in the year 1970 and yet the became more than the rest countries such Indonesia and obviously is at the top with huge gap Indonesia

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers all four countries and the time frame provided. However, the analysis is somewhat disorganized and lacks a clear overview of the main trends. While you identify some specific data points, such as Malaysia's growth and Indonesia's rise, the description of the Philippines' trend is confusing and inaccurate regarding the data. To improve, ensure you group information logically—perhaps by comparing the countries that showed the most significant growth versus those that remained more stable—and provide a clear, concise summary of the overall trends in the introduction or as a separate overview paragraph.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the internal structure is weak. The flow of ideas is often disjointed, and the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes repetitive (e.g., 'in the year 1970', 'by the year 2040'). The transition between sentences is often abrupt, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between the four countries. Using a wider variety of linking words such as 'conversely', 'subsequently', or 'in contrast' would help improve the logical progression of your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive. You frequently use basic phrases like 'the year', 'percentage', and 'countries'. There are also some awkward collocations and phrasing, such as 'the big jump' and 'the least country'. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to trends, such as 'significant increase', 'fluctuated', 'peaked', or 'remained relatively stable'. Additionally, ensure you use accurate terminology when describing data, such as 'proportion' instead of repeating 'percentage'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The essay contains a high frequency of grammatical errors, particularly regarding sentence structure, punctuation, and subject-verb agreement. Many sentences are run-on or lack necessary articles (e.g., 'This is a line chart it gives...'). There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the punctuation is inconsistent, which occasionally impedes readability. To improve, focus on using full stops to separate independent clauses and practice using subordinating conjunctions like 'although', 'while', or 'whereas' to create more complex and accurate sentences.

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