Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-14
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 graph shows the percentage of population in 4 asian countries which are Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia from 1970 to 2020 with predictions for 2030 and 2040.
Overall Malaysia saw the most growth in population living in cities and is expected to remain the same in coming years. Indonesia is predicted to see the most growth in population in future. However Thailand and Philippines experienced the slowest growth out of all.
Looking first at Philippines and Malaysia the percentage of people living in cities in philippines was 30 percent in 1970 and then rised around 50 percent in 2020. It is expected that the population will grow around 55 percent in the year 2040. Percentage of people living in cities in Malaysia was 30 percent in 1970 and rosed significantly in 2020 around 75 percent. It is expected to reach at 80 percent in 2040.
Thailand a low population of people living in cities in 1970 at around 20 percent and increased to 30 percent in the year 2020. it is expected to reach slightly above 40 percent in 2040. Indonesia showed the most growth as it reached around 50 percent in 2020 and is expected to reach at 60 percent in 2040.
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 the time periods provided. You have identified the main trends, such as Malaysia's significant growth and the slower progression of Thailand and the Philippines. However, the overview is slightly inaccurate; for instance, you state Malaysia is expected to 'remain the same' while the graph shows a continued upward trend. Additionally, some data points are imprecise, such as describing the Philippines' 1970 figure as 30% when it appears closer to 20%. To improve, ensure your overview captures the general direction of all trends accurately and double-check your data extraction against the visual information provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. You use some cohesive devices like 'Looking first at' and 'However' to transition between ideas. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and some sentences lack clear linking words to connect the data points smoothly. For example, the transition between the general overview and the specific details could be more refined. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that guides the reader through the data comparison.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'growth', 'increased', and 'significantly'. However, there are some issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'rised' (the correct past tense is 'rose') and 'rosed' (which is incorrect). You also rely on repetitive phrasing like 'percentage of people living in cities'. To improve, try to vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like 'urbanisation rate', 'proportion of city dwellers', or 'the share of the population residing in urban areas' to avoid repetition and demonstrate a more sophisticated command of the language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, particularly with verb tenses and prepositions. For example, 'rised' should be 'rose', and 'reach at 80 percent' should simply be 'reach 80 percent'. There are also minor punctuation issues, such as missing commas after introductory phrases. To improve, focus on mastering the past tense forms of irregular verbs and ensure you are using prepositions correctly with verbs of movement and change. Proofreading for these small errors will significantly improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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