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 given line graph demonstrates about the percentage of people living in Philippines, Malaysia,Thailand, and Indonesia between 1970 to 2020 with future predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the graph illustrates variations in different years from 1970 to 2020. The maximum percentage is shown by Malaysia while Thailand has minimum percentage of population.

The graph shows that in 1970 Malaysia has 30 percent population that gradually increased to 40% and 45% in 1980 and 1990 respectively after that it significantly rised to almost 75% in 2020 and is futher estimated to rise above 83% till 2040. Futhermore, Indonesia has lowest population about 12% in 1970 but it continously increased and matched Thailand at 30% in 2000 after that it soared to 61% in 2040. While, philippines shows a constant percentage of population from 1970 to 1980 after that it rocketed to 50% in 1990 before declining to 40% in 2010 and again swiftly rised and reached 58% in 2040. Thailand has 19% population in 1970 that gradually rised to 30% and remained stablized till 2020 after that it increased to 45% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all four countries and the time frame provided. You have identified the main trends and made relevant comparisons, such as noting that Indonesia and Thailand matched in 2000. However, the overview is somewhat weak; it describes variations rather than highlighting the most significant trends, such as the overall upward trajectory for all countries. To reach a higher band, ensure the overview clearly synthesizes the main features (e.g., the consistent growth in Malaysia versus the more fluctuating pattern in the Philippines). The data points are generally accurate, but the analysis could be more analytical by grouping countries with similar trends rather than listing them individually.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices like 'furthermore' and 'while,' but the flow is occasionally mechanical. The transition between sentences could be smoother; for instance, the jump between describing Malaysia and Indonesia is abrupt. Additionally, the use of referencing is sometimes repetitive. To improve, try to vary your cohesive devices and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that guides the reader through the data comparisons more effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using words like 'soared,' 'rocketed,' and 'gradually increased' to describe trends. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'demonstrates about' (demonstrates the) and 'remained stablized' (remained stable). There are also minor spelling errors like 'rised' (rose) and 'futher' (further). To achieve a higher score, focus on using more precise academic collocations and ensure that your verb forms are used correctly in context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Common issues include incorrect verb tenses (e.g., 'Malaysia has 30 percent' instead of 'had'), subject-verb agreement, and missing articles. For example, 'Philippines' should be 'the Philippines.' While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on consistent tense usage when describing past data and ensure that you are using articles correctly with geographical names and percentages.

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

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