Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The below line describes the information about the population in four Asian countries which are Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. The time line is from 1970 to 2020 followed by the predictions for 2030 and 2040. The units are in percentage.

Firstly, as it can be seen the lowest percentage of population is recorded in Indonesia in the year 1970 which is about 12%. Thailand also have similar number which is about 13% in the starting of the timeline. Then by the year of 2000 they both reach at the same percentage of the population which was 30. then according to the predicted data by 2040 Indonesia will be at second highest place in the population which is about 60. On the other end Thailand will be at the last place with the percentage of about 48%.

Philippines in the starting of the time line was at 30% according to the predicted data by 2040 it will be the highest among the four asian countries which is around 82%. Malaysia at the starting was at 31% but by the end of 2040 it will be third highest countries for population in the cities which will be about 56%.

Overall, it can be seen that according to the prediction by the end of 2040 , Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines will be the top three countries with the highest number of population living in the cities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all parts of the task by identifying the main trends for the four countries over the specified period. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical, focusing on listing data points rather than synthesising the information. For instance, the description of the trends for Indonesia and Thailand is repetitive. While the key features are identified, the comparison between countries could be more sophisticated. The overview is present but lacks a clear summary of the most significant trends, such as the overall upward trajectory of urbanisation across all four nations. To improve, focus on grouping data points to highlight similarities and differences more effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. The use of cohesive devices like 'Firstly', 'Then', and 'Overall' is present but somewhat basic. The referencing is occasionally unclear; for example, the phrase 'On the other end' is used incorrectly to contrast Thailand with Indonesia, as they share similar trends. The progression of ideas is generally logical, but the transition between the description of individual countries and the overall summary could be smoother. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing is precise would enhance the flow of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There is a heavy reliance on basic terms like 'percentage', 'number', and 'place'. The student attempts to describe trends but often uses repetitive phrasing, such as 'at the starting of the time line' and 'by the end of 2040'. There are also minor errors in word choice, such as 'the below line describes' instead of 'the line graph illustrates'. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', or 'projected to reach'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('the lowest percentage of population', 'at the last place') and prepositions ('at the starting of the timeline'). Subject-verb agreement is also inconsistent, such as 'Thailand also have similar number'. While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, the student should focus on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy, specifically regarding article usage and verb tense consistency when discussing future predictions.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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