Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-13

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 7.0)

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

Overall, the Philippines had the highest percentage of people living in cities in 1970, while Malaysia is predicted to have the highest proportion by 2040.

In 1970, only 18% of Thai people lived in cities, whereas the Philippines had the highest percentage, at approximately 32%. By contrast, only 12% of Indonesia's population lived in cities, while the figure for Malaysia was around 30%. After two decades, in 1990, the Philippines still had the highest percentage, while the proportion of people living in cities in the other countries also increased.

However, in 2000, Malaysia's urban population surpassed that of the Philippines, with the figures standing at approximately 60% and 45%, respectively. The percentage of people living in cities continued to increase, and the graph predicts that by 2040, Malaysia will have the highest proportion, at approximately 82%. Meanwhile, the figures for Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand are predicted to reach approximately 60%, 50% and 43%, respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively covers all requirements of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the trends and highlighted key features, such as the initial dominance of the Philippines and the eventual rise of Malaysia. The data is accurately reported, and the comparisons between countries are well-integrated. You successfully incorporated the future predictions, which is essential for a complete response. To reach a higher band, ensure that you consistently highlight the most significant trends rather than listing data points chronologically. For instance, explicitly contrasting the growth rates of the four countries would further strengthen the analytical quality of the report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-organized with a logical progression of ideas. You have used paragraphing effectively to separate the introduction and overview from the detailed body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'By contrast', 'After two decades', and 'Meanwhile' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the data. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between the different time periods is clear. The referencing is accurate, and the structure supports the overall argument without being mechanical. This is a strong performance in terms of coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases like 'highest proportion', 'surpassed that of', and 'urban population' are used correctly in context. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for an academic report, it remains somewhat functional. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms to describe trends, such as 'experienced a steady climb' or 'projected to undergo a significant surge'. Overall, the lexical control is good, and there are no errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used subordinate clauses effectively, such as 'while the proportion of people living in cities in the other countries also increased'. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is handled well, and the tense usage is consistent with the requirements of reporting past data and future predictions. The sentences are clear and easy to follow, reflecting a high level of control over grammatical forms. There are no significant errors that distract the reader.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.