Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-22

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 7.0)

The line graph illustrates the percentages of people living in cities in four Asian countries between 1970 and 2020, with projections for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, population increased in all four nations. Malaysia recorded the highest and most consistent growth, while Thailand remained the least urbanised country for most of the period. Indonesia experienced a particularly sharp rise after 2000.

In 1970, around 30% of the populations of both the Philippines and Malaysia lived in cities. The figures for Thailand and Indonesia were much lower, at approximately 18% and 13% respectively. By 1990, Malaysia and the Philippines had both reached nearly 50%, although Malaysia then continued to rise steadily to over 80% by 2040.

The Philippines followed a less stable pattern, falling slightly from 1990 to 2010 before recovering to about 56% in 2040. Meanwhile, Indonesia grew gradually until 2000 and then increased rapidly, reaching roughly 64% by the end of the period. Thailand showed the slowest growth, climbing from about 18% in 1970 to a projected 50% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively covers all parts of the task. You have identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the data. The selection of key features, such as Malaysia's consistent growth and the sharp rise in Indonesia post-2000, is accurate. You have successfully incorporated comparisons between the countries throughout the report. The data is presented clearly, and the inclusion of both past data and future projections is handled well. To reach a higher band, ensure that all key data points are fully supported by the figures provided, as some descriptions could be slightly more precise regarding the specific percentages at the end of the period.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, and the detailed body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'although', and 'in addition' (implied through structure) are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next. The use of referencing is clear, and the overall structure supports the reader's understanding of the trends presented in the graph.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information accurately. Phrases like 'least urbanised', 'sharp rise', and 'projected' demonstrate a good command of topic-specific language. There is an awareness of style, and the word choices are generally precise. While the vocabulary is adequate and appropriate for the task, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'increase' and 'growth' would further enhance the lexical range and demonstrate a higher level of flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used subordinate clauses effectively, such as 'while Thailand remained the least urbanised country' and 'although Malaysia then continued to rise'. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors that do not impede communication. Punctuation is used correctly to separate clauses and list data. To improve, ensure that subject-verb agreement and tense consistency remain flawless throughout, as the majority of your sentences are already error-free.

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

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