Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-05
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 5.5)
The line graph depicts the proportion of people in four Asian nations who were living in cities from 1970 to 2020, along with projections for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, it is clear that by 2040 the most urbanized country will be Malaysia, while Thailand will be the least preferred nation. Meanwhile, Indonesia overtook the Philippines and Thailand and became the second most populated country.
Malaysia and the Philippines both had around 30% of their population living in cities in 1970, whereas Indonesia stood at around 12%. From 1980 to 1990, the Philippines showed a rapid growth by approximately 15%. By 2010, it moved downward and reached under 45%, while Thailand and Indonesia increased gradually and reached nearly 28% and 40% respectively.
By 2040, Malaysia’s city population will increase rapidly and become the most populated nation among all. The Philippines will likely go up and will reach around 50%. Indonesia became the second highest populated nation in 2010.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the graph, including the start and end points and the general trends. However, the analysis is somewhat uneven. The description of the Philippines' growth between 1980 and 1990 is specific, but the summary of the 2010–2040 period is less detailed and lacks a clear comparison of all four countries. The statement that Indonesia became the second most populated country is slightly confusing as it refers to the percentage of the urban population, not the total population. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are clearly distinguished between urban percentages and total population figures, and provide a more comprehensive overview of the trends for all countries throughout the entire period.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'meanwhile', 'whereas', and 'by 2010' are used to link ideas. However, the progression of ideas is occasionally disjointed. For instance, the transition between the historical data and the future projections in the final paragraph feels abrupt. Additionally, the referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly when discussing the ranking of countries. Improving the use of cohesive devices to create smoother transitions between sentences and paragraphs would enhance the overall flow and logical progression of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with some attempts at more precise language such as 'urbanized', 'projections', and 'gradually'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'least preferred nation' and 'populated country', which do not accurately describe the data (percentage of urban population). The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, but it lacks the flexibility and precision required for a higher band. Using more varied and accurate terminology related to trends and data interpretation would strengthen this criterion significantly.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While many sentences are clear, there are some grammatical inconsistencies, such as the tense shift in 'Indonesia became the second highest populated nation in 2010' when discussing a trend that continues into the future. There are also minor issues with preposition usage and article placement. Despite these errors, the meaning is generally clear, and the errors do not impede communication. To improve, focus on maintaining consistent verb tenses when describing trends and ensuring that complex sentence structures are used with greater accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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