Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-15
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 line graph illustrates the number of people who lived in cities in four Asian countries namely Philippines, malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia between 1970 and 20220, with further predictions for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, the percentages of people for Indonesia and Malaysia increased rapidly, whereas that for Philippines and Thailan experienced some fluctuations with upward trend throughout the period .
In 1970, just above 30% of people lived in Philippines. This figure saw a rapid increase to approximately 50% in 1990 before falling to about 45% in around 43%. After that , that figure is predicted to reach at just above 50 in 2040.
The figures of people who lived in cities in Malaysia,Thailand and Indonesia were 30%, just under 20%, and around 15% in 1970 ,respectively. Those figures expreenced a gradual increased from 1990 to 2040, peak at approximately 82 %,just under 60 ,
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 fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While you have identified the main trends and provided some data points, the analysis is incomplete. The final paragraph is cut off mid-sentence, meaning you failed to report the data for all countries or provide a complete summary of the trends. To improve, ensure you cover all categories mentioned in the graph and provide a clear, finished overview. The data reporting is also inconsistent, with some figures missing or incorrectly transcribed, such as the confusion regarding the 1990/2040 data points.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive start. However, the logical progression is hindered by the incomplete nature of the final paragraph. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Overall' and 'In 1970', but the flow is disrupted by the abrupt ending. Referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly when discussing the figures for the three countries in the final paragraph. To improve, ensure that each paragraph has a clear concluding thought and that you use linking words to connect your comparisons more fluidly between sentences.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for higher bands. You used terms like 'increased rapidly' and 'fluctuations', which are appropriate for describing graphs. However, there are errors in word choice and spelling, such as 'Thailan' and 'expreenced'. Additionally, the phrasing 'just above 30% of people lived in Philippines' is slightly unnatural; it would be better to say 'the percentage of the population living in cities in the Philippines'. Expanding your range of reporting verbs and adverbs would help improve your score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'namely Philippines, malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia' (missing articles and capitalization), 'that figure is predicted to reach at just above 50' (incorrect preposition usage), and 'peak at approximately 82 %,just under 60 ,' (punctuation and sentence structure errors). The incomplete final sentence also demonstrates a lack of control over sentence structure. Focus on subject-verb agreement, consistent use of articles, and ensuring every sentence is complete.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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