Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-12
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 5.0)
THE GRAPH ILLUSTRATES A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE POPULATION OF THE FOUR ASIAN COUNTRIES IN A SPECICIFIC PERIOD OF TIME.
MALAYSIAN POPULATION INCREASES VERY RAPIDLY IN BETWEEN 1970 AND 2040. INDONESIAN POPULATION INCREASES GRADUALLY TILL 2000 AND THEN THEIR IS A RAPID INCREASE IN INDONESIAN POPULATION. POPULATION OF PHILIPINES INCREASES 30 TO 50 PERCENT IN BETWEEN 1970 AND 1990 AND THEN FALLS TO 40 PERCENT TILL 2010 AND THEN THERE IS A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 10 PERCENT TILL 2040. THE POPULATION OF THAILAND INCREASES FROM 20 PERCENT TO 30 PERCENT BETWEEN 1970 AND 1990 AND THEN RESIDENTS OF THAILAND DID NOT INCREASE TILL 2020 .AFTER 2020 THE INHABITANTS RISES TO 50 PERCENT IN VERY MINUTE PERIOD OF TIME.
IN SHORT WE CAN SAY THAT THE POPULATION OF MALAYSIA AND INDONESIA INCREASES VERY SWIFTLY WHEREAS INHABITANTS IN THAILAND AND PHILIPINES ARE RISING RAPIDLY .THE COUNTRIES WHICH POPULATION IS GROWING CONTINUOUSLY HAVE TO RAISES AWARNESS ABOUT FAMILY PLANNING
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main trends for all four countries, but it lacks a clear overview of the data. The task requires a summary of the main features, yet the student provides a list of individual country trends without synthesizing the information or highlighting significant differences or similarities. Furthermore, the final sentence introduces an external opinion regarding 'family planning,' which is irrelevant to the task of describing a graph. To improve, you must provide a clear summary paragraph that identifies the overall trend (e.g., the general upward trajectory of urbanization) and avoid adding personal commentary or suggestions that are not supported by the data provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into three short paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and repetitive, relying heavily on simple transitions like 'and then' or 'in between'. There is a lack of sophisticated linking words to connect ideas or contrast the data between countries. For example, the transition between the description of individual countries and the concluding summary is abrupt. The paragraphing is present but does not effectively group related information, making the text feel like a series of disjointed observations rather than a cohesive report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, often relying on basic verbs like 'increases' and 'rises'. There is little attempt to use a range of vocabulary to describe trends (e.g., 'fluctuated,' 'remained stable,' 'surpassed'). Additionally, there are spelling errors such as 'SPECICIFIC' and 'PHILIPINES'. The phrasing is often unnatural, such as 'in very minute period of time,' which does not accurately convey the intended meaning. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to describe data trends and ensure accurate spelling of country names and common terms.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response consists primarily of simple sentence structures. While there are some attempts at complex sentences, they are often marred by grammatical errors, such as 'THEIR IS A RAPID INCREASE' (should be 'there is') and 'THE COUNTRIES WHICH POPULATION IS GROWING' (should be 'whose population'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with irregular spacing and capitalization issues throughout the text. The frequent errors in subject-verb agreement and word choice occasionally impede the flow of reading. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of sentence structures and proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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