Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-06

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 6.5)

The line graph illustrates the percentage of people living in cities in four Asian countries between 1970 and 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the proportion of people living in cities increased in all four countries. Malaysia recorded the highest figures for most of the period and is expected to remain the most urbanised country by 2040. In contrast, Thailand had the lowest percentages, while Indonesia experienced the most rapid growth after 2000.

In 1970, around 30% of the population in both the Philippines and Malaysia lived in cities, compared with approximately 18% in Thailand and only 13% in Indonesia. By 1990, the Philippines had risen to just under 50%, slightly higher than Malaysia at about 45%. However, Malaysia then increased sharply to around 60% in 2000 and reached about 75% by 2020. It is predicted to exceed 80% by 2040.

Thailand showed a gradual increase from roughly 18% in 1970 to 30% in 2020 and is forecast to reach about 45% by 2040. Indonesia, on the other hand, grew steadily from around 13% to 30% by 2000 before rising rapidly to approximately 50% in 2020. This figure is expected to climb further to just over 60% by 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the trends and successfully selected and reported the main features, such as Malaysia's dominance and the rapid growth in Indonesia. The data is accurately represented, and comparisons are made effectively throughout the text. The inclusion of both historical data and future predictions is handled well, ensuring the requirements of the prompt are fully met. The summary is concise and focused, demonstrating a strong ability to synthesize information from a visual source.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction and overview, the initial status and Malaysia's trajectory, and the trends for Thailand and Indonesia. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'However', and 'on the other hand' are used effectively to guide the reader through the comparisons. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next without any confusion or repetition.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'most urbanised country', 'gradual increase', and 'forecast to reach' are used accurately. There is a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the trends with precision. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'increase' (e.g., 'surged', 'upward trend') could elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical control is strong and supports clear communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writing displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('compared with approximately 18%') and subordinate clauses ('while Indonesia experienced...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over tense usage—shifting between past, present, and future predictions—is handled with high accuracy. Punctuation is used correctly to support the structure of the sentences. The grammatical control is consistent throughout the response, contributing to its overall readability and professional tone.

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