Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The given chart shows the proportion of the individuals living in Philippines, Malaysia,Thailand and Indonesia from 2020 to future prediction to 2040.
Overall, it is evident that sharp increment was seen in the Malaysia population.
At first , it can be seen the population of Malaysia showed an increment, while the Indonesia showed a little increase. The population of Malaysia rose from 32 percent to approximately 70 percent in contrast of 20 percent rose in the Indonesia.
Secondly, the population of the Philippines was significantly higher than the population than the Thailand.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. Furthermore, the content is severely underdeveloped. You have only provided a very brief summary and have omitted the majority of the data points and trends shown in the graph. The task requires a comprehensive overview and a detailed comparison of all four countries across the specified time periods. By only mentioning a few figures and failing to cover the full scope of the data, the response is incomplete and does not address the task requirements adequately.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into very short, fragmented paragraphs. While there is a basic attempt at logical progression using transition words like 'Overall', 'At first', and 'Secondly', the lack of depth and the brevity of the text make the overall structure feel disjointed. The referencing is sometimes unclear, and the flow between sentences is mechanical. To improve, you should aim to group related information together and use a wider variety of cohesive devices to link your ideas more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You rely on basic terms like 'increment', 'increase', and 'population' throughout the text. There is little evidence of the range of vocabulary needed to describe trends, such as 'fluctuate', 'plateau', 'soar', or 'gradual'. Additionally, there are errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'sharp increment was seen in the Malaysia population' (should be 'Malaysian population'). Expanding your range of academic vocabulary and focusing on accurate collocations will help you achieve a higher score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple sentence structures, but there is a lack of complex grammatical forms. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'in contrast of 20 percent rose in the Indonesia' and 'population than the Thailand'. These errors, combined with awkward phrasing, occasionally make the meaning difficult to follow. To improve, you should practice using a wider variety of complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses or subordinating conjunctions, while ensuring that your basic grammar and punctuation remain accurate.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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