Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The line chart illustrates the percentage of the population in four different Asian countries living in cities between 1970 to 2020, anticipating for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, it is clear that in the year 1970, the total population was least for all the four countries. And the population predicted to be highest for Malaysia by the year 2040 followed by Indonesia which was least among other countries back then.
Between the period of 1970 to 2010, Philippines and Malaysia was more populated than other two countries by approximately 30 percent. The population fluctuated within two decades, but Malaysia rose significantly from the year 1990. Whereas, Philippines slightly decreased its population until 2010. Also, the population of Thailand and Indonesia increased modestly by converging at the same proportion in the year 2000.
After the year 2000, Indonesia experienced substantial rise in population reaching over 60 percent by 2040. Although, the population of Thailand remained constant over two decades, it noticeably rose after 2020. Finally, all four countries expected to rise their comparatively by the end of 2040.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the graph, including the start, end, and key trends. However, there are inaccuracies in the data interpretation. For instance, stating that the population was 'least for all the four countries' in 1970 is vague and does not accurately describe the specific percentages. Furthermore, the claim that Indonesia was the 'least among other countries back then' is factually incorrect based on typical graph data for this task. The description of trends is sometimes confusing, such as the mention of 'converging at the same proportion' which lacks clarity. To reach a higher band, ensure that data points are cited more precisely and that comparisons are logically grounded in the visual evidence provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or misused. For example, the transition 'Although, the population of Thailand remained constant...' is grammatically awkward and does not effectively link the ideas. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the phrase 'all four countries expected to rise their comparatively', which is confusing and lacks a clear referent. While there is an overall progression, the internal flow between sentences needs more variety and precision to achieve a higher score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but there are several instances of imprecise word choice and awkward phrasing. Phrases like 'anticipating for 2030' and 'rise their comparatively' are non-standard and impede clarity. The student uses some relevant terms like 'fluctuated' and 'modestly', but the overall range is limited. To improve, the student should focus on using more precise collocations related to data description, such as 'upward trend' or 'significant growth', rather than relying on repetitive or slightly inaccurate phrasing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Subject-verb agreement issues are present, such as 'Philippines and Malaysia was' (should be 'were') and 'all four countries expected to rise' (should be 'are expected to rise'). There are also issues with preposition usage and sentence fragments. While these errors do not completely prevent the reader from understanding the general message, they occur frequently enough to impact the overall fluency and accuracy of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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