Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-10
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 illustrates the information about the proportion of the population living in cities and also it provides future projections from 1970 to 2020.
To begin with Malaysia, it was seen fluctuations in population from 1970 to 2010, after the population will grow steadily in future by 50% in 2040. The proportion of the population in Philippines was only 30% but from 1990 to 2040 it demonstrates a substantial increase and will reaches 80%. Moving to Thailand, the figure was under 20% in 1970, and it rose to 28% in1990, after that it will escalating to approximately 50% by 2040. The percentage of the Indonesian country was 11% in 1970 and it was increased marginally to 28% in 2000, after that the figure will surge by approximately to 47% by the year 2040.
Overall, it is evident that Malaysia will at highest population across all the three countries, whereas Thailand's population is predicted less than by other country.
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 four countries and identifies the main trends. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical, listing data points rather than synthesising information effectively. The overview is weak; it fails to capture the most significant trends (e.g., the overall upward trajectory for all countries) and contains inaccuracies, such as stating Malaysia will have the highest population, which is not clearly supported by the graph's projections for 2040. The summary of the data is functional but lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band score. To improve, focus on grouping trends and highlighting the most striking differences or similarities rather than describing each country in isolation.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often repetitive or mechanical, such as the frequent use of 'after that' to transition between time periods. The referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly in the final paragraph where the comparison between countries is vague. The logical progression is present but feels disjointed because the sentences are primarily lists of statistics rather than a cohesive narrative. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that comparisons are clearly signposted would enhance the flow of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. There are several instances of awkward phrasing or incorrect word choice, such as 'Indonesian country' (should be 'Indonesia') and 'it will escalating' (grammatically incorrect). The range of vocabulary is limited, relying on basic terms like 'increase', 'rose', and 'surge'. To achieve a higher score, you should incorporate more sophisticated collocations and synonyms to describe trends, such as 'upward trend', 'gradual growth', or 'significant climb', while ensuring that word forms are used correctly in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'it was seen fluctuations' (passive voice error), 'will reaches' (tense error), and 'is predicted less than by other country' (awkward syntax). While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in tense consistency and sentence construction prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and ensuring consistent use of future tenses for projections will significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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