Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The given line graph illustrates the proportion of individuals living in developed areas in four different Asian nations from 1970 to 2040 with predictions as well.
Overall, the trend saw a upward movement till 2020 and is also expected to keep increasing till 2040 . However, Malaysia dominated the majority of years except in 1970 and 1990 in which Thailand took the lead.
The proportion of the population of Phillippines was nearly 30% in 1970 and kept moving upward till 49% in 1990 before dipping to nearly 42% by 2010. Furthermore, the trend is predicted to experience a constant growth and gain its maximum proportion of 50 % by 2040.
Additionally, the trend of Malaysia and Indonesia increased constantly which was a 30% and nearly 12% in 1970 respectively and predicted to reach peak of approximately 81% and 60% by 2040 which is the highest from other nations. Moreover, Thailand also saw a inclined trend from nearly 19% in 1970 to nearly 31 in 2020 after that the trend is expected to increase rapidly reaching approximately 41% in 2040 which is the lowest among all .
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 all parts of the task by identifying the main trends and comparing the four countries. You successfully highlighted the overall upward trend and identified the key features, such as Malaysia's dominance and Thailand's position. However, the analysis of the data is slightly inconsistent; for instance, you mention Thailand took the lead in 1970 and 1990, but the data shows Malaysia was actually higher in 1990. Additionally, the statement that Thailand's 2040 projection is the 'lowest among all' is factually incorrect based on the graph, as Indonesia remains lower. More careful data verification is needed to reach a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'Overall,' 'However,' 'Furthermore,' and 'Additionally' to connect ideas. While the progression is generally clear, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The referencing is mostly effective, though the structure of the final sentence is a bit cluttered, which slightly impacts the flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the specific data points, which helps the reader follow your argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'proportion,' 'dominated,' 'dipping,' and 'constant growth.' There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'saw a inclined trend' (should be 'an upward trend') and 'gain its maximum proportion' (should be 'reach its peak'). While you attempt to use less common vocabulary, some collocations are slightly unnatural. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, but it lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'the trend saw a upward movement' (should be 'an upward'), 'which was a 30%' (should be 'which was 30%'), and 'the highest from other nations' (should be 'the highest of the other nations'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, though there are some spacing issues before periods. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on article usage and prepositional accuracy will help improve your control.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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