Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-18

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)

Following graph illustrates the population of four countries from 1990 to 2020 and also estimates for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the graph gives information about four countries population such as Indonesia, Philippines ,Malaysia and Thailand.

The population of Indonesia started growth from 1970 and then it was about 10% and this time Thailand was on 18%.Malaysia and Philippines were at 30%. In 1980 and 1990 the population rate in these countries a bit increases but in 2000 this rate goes up and Thailand and also Indonesia remain at 20% but Philippines and Malaysia rate grows and it reach at 50%.

In 2010 and 2020 the increase in population continues and The Philippines went up at 30% but the Thailand rate remain constant. But the Malaysia is on 60% and Indonesia is on 45%. In 2030 and 2040 all countries will goes high and Indonesia prediction is 45% and Thailand is 30%. The Malaysia will on 80% and Philippines will on 50%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to summarize the data, but it fails to accurately report the main features. The data provided in the text often contradicts the graph (e.g., stating Indonesia was at 10% in 1970 when the graph shows a different figure, or claiming Thailand remained constant in 2020). The overview is weak and lacks a clear summary of the overall trends. Furthermore, the description of the data is fragmented and lacks the necessary precision required for an Academic Task 1 response. To improve, you must ensure that the figures cited match the visual data exactly and focus on identifying clear trends and significant changes rather than listing individual data points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression is hindered by inaccurate data reporting and poor sentence structure. Cohesive devices are used, but they are often mechanical or misused, such as the repetitive use of 'and' to connect clauses. The referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between the four countries. Paragraphing is present but does not effectively group related information, such as separating the historical data from the future predictions in a more structured manner.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The range of vocabulary is limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on basic verbs like 'is', 'was', and 'goes up'. There is a lack of variety in describing trends, such as 'growth', 'increases', and 'remains constant'. Some word choices are awkward or incorrect, such as 'all countries will goes high'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise vocabulary for describing trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'surpassed', or 'projected to reach'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include subject-verb agreement ('all countries will goes high'), missing articles, and incorrect preposition usage ('went up at 30%'). The sentence structures are predominantly simple, with few attempts at complex sentences. When complex structures are attempted, they are often inaccurate. You need to focus on basic sentence construction, ensuring correct tense usage and subject-verb agreement before attempting more complex grammatical forms.

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