Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-20
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 line graph illustrates the information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, it is clear that the Malaysia trend increased over the year , whereas the Thailand trend decreased over the year.In addition, Malaysia recorded the highest figure, while Thailand had the lowest.
Looking first at Malaysia, the figure stood at 30 % of total population in 1970. It increased over the year and their percentages also increased .It recorded as the highest population at 2040 ,at 80%. However, in 1970, the total population of Philippines was same as Malaysia in 1970.
Turning to remaining categories, Malaysia recorded 80%, compared with 44% for Thailand . Whereas the Indonesia recorded as 11% in 1970 . It also increased over the year .It recorded as the slightly higher in 2040 , at 66%.
Overall, Malaysia considered higher than Thailand.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses the task requirements by summarizing the main trends in urban population percentages. However, the analysis is inconsistent. While you identify the overall trends, the data reporting is often inaccurate or confusing. For example, you state that Thailand's trend 'decreased over the year,' yet the graph shows an upward trend for all countries. Furthermore, the comparison between Malaysia and the Philippines in 1970 is unclear, and the data points provided for 2040 are not fully integrated into a coherent summary. To improve, ensure that you accurately extract data from the graph and focus on comparing the countries rather than listing them individually.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused, such as 'Turning to remaining categories' followed by a sentence that repeats information about Malaysia. The referencing is also problematic; for instance, the phrase 'their percentages also increased' lacks a clear antecedent. The transition between the overview and the body paragraphs is abrupt, and the final sentence is redundant. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus would significantly enhance the flow of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive. You frequently use phrases like 'increased over the year' and 'recorded as,' which restricts the range of your language. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'the figure stood at 30 % of total population' and 'recorded as the slightly higher.' To achieve a higher band score, you should aim to use a wider variety of verbs (e.g., 'climbed,' 'surged,' 'dipped') and nouns (e.g., 'proportion,' 'percentage,' 'trend') to describe the data more precisely and avoid repeating the same structures throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but accuracy is inconsistent. There are frequent errors in article usage (e.g., 'the Philippines'), subject-verb agreement, and punctuation (e.g., spaces before commas). Some sentences are grammatically awkward, such as 'It recorded as the highest population at 2040.' While these errors do not completely prevent the reader from understanding the general meaning, they occur frequently enough to impact the clarity of your report. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for minor errors would help improve your score in this criterion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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