Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-19

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 6.0)

The line graph depicts the information regarding the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with the estimated increase in population for the years 2030 and 2040.

Overall, there is a gradual increase in the population in all the Asian countries from the year 1970 to 2040. If we observe closely, we can see that percentage growth of population is higher in the Philippines; after that there comes Malaysia, then Thailand, and last but not least, Indonesia for the year 1970. However, this rate slightly increased for the year 1980, as the first position is taken by Malaysia in terms of population increase and the Philippines is on the second, while the rest of the two countries are in the same positions.

In the year 1990, there was a significant increase in the rate of population of about 50% in the Philippines, but after that, it started to decline till the year 2010, and it started to rise after the year 2010 to 2040. On the other hand, about 45% of population rise is recorded in Malaysia, just slightly lower than the population rate of the Philippines, but it is stated to rise rapidly after 1990 to 2040, reaching about 85%. Moreover, The percentage remained lower for other countries, but it started to rise after the year 1990.

To conclude, the graph illustrates the gradual rise in the growth of the population in terms of percentage. And the rate is highest in Malaysia.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the graph, including the overall trend and comparisons between the four countries. However, the analysis is somewhat inconsistent. For instance, the description of the 1970 data is confusingly phrased, and the attempt to track rankings over time is not clearly executed. While the overview identifies the general upward trend, it lacks a clear summary of the most significant differences between the countries by the end of the period. The data points mentioned are generally accurate, but the interpretation of the trends could be more precise to better highlight the key features as required by the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'after that' and 'then'. The progression of ideas within paragraphs is occasionally disjointed, particularly in the second paragraph where the attempt to compare rankings across years becomes difficult to follow. Referencing is sometimes unclear, making it hard to distinguish which country is being referred to in certain sentences. Improved use of linking phrases would enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to describe trends such as 'gradual increase', 'significant increase', and 'decline'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a tendency to repeat basic phrasing like 'population increase' and 'rate of population'. There are also some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'rest of the two countries', which is not standard phrasing. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise terminology related to data description and avoid repetitive structures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'there comes Malaysia' and 'the rest of the two countries are in the same positions'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but there are some awkward phrasings that impact the fluency of the text. The student demonstrates a reasonable grasp of basic grammar, but more complex structures are often attempted with minor errors, which prevents the writing from reaching a higher level of accuracy.

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

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