Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-17

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 demonstrates the percentage of four Asian countries residing in cities between 1970 and 2020, with predictions for next two decades.

Overall, the percentage of population of Malaysia live in cities is higher than other three regions. The population of Indonesia was lowest between all the countries in the starting but now it is higher than Philippines and Thailand and it will tend to increase until 2040.

In 1970, the ratio of population of Indonesia residing in cities was almost 15% and it increased to almost 30% in 2000. By 2020, it showed the continuous increase and reached to almost 50%. Moreover, it is predicted that it will go above 60% by 2040. For Thailand, the percentage of population was almost 20% in 1970 and it tend to increase until 1990 and then showed a minor decline in 2000. After that, it showed continuous fluctuations by 2020 and reached to almost 30% and by predictions it seems that it will continue to increase in future.

In 1970, Malaysia had the ratio of 30% which then increased to almost 45% in 1990. After that, it reached to 70% showing the significant increase from all other countries and it will be almost 80% by 2040. Philippines was highest among all in 1970 showing the ratio above 30% in 1970. It showed significant fluctuations by increasing to 50% in 1990 and then continued to decrease until 2020. It is predicted that it will reach almost 55% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the data. You covered all four countries and included the predictions for 2030 and 2040. However, the response could be improved by grouping the data more effectively. For example, instead of describing each country in isolation, you could compare the countries that showed steady growth against those that experienced fluctuations. Additionally, there are some factual inaccuracies in your description of the data, such as stating Philippines was the highest in 1970 when the graph indicates Malaysia and Thailand were higher. Ensuring precise data interpretation is crucial for a higher band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs focusing on specific countries. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'After that', and 'In 1970', which help the reader follow the progression of time. However, the transitions between sentences can feel a bit mechanical, and some referencing is slightly unclear, such as 'the ratio of population of Indonesia'. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that the relationship between ideas is more fluid would enhance the overall coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the main points, using terms like 'fluctuations', 'significant increase', and 'residing in cities'. However, there are some issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'ratio of population' (better: 'percentage of the population') and 'lowest between all the countries' (better: 'lowest among all the countries'). To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary and avoid repetitive phrasing. The current range is adequate for the task but lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While your meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors throughout the text, such as missing articles ('the percentage of population'), incorrect verb forms ('it tend to increase'), and preposition errors ('lowest between all'). These errors occur frequently enough to be noticeable but do not prevent the reader from understanding your main points. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles, as these are recurring issues in your writing.

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

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