Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-24

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 7.5)

The line graph illustrates the proportion of people living in urban areas in four Asian countries—Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia—between 1970 and 2020, along with projected figures up to 2040.

Overall, all four countries experienced a steady rise in urbanization over the period, with Malaysia consistently recording the highest levels and Indonesia showing the most dramatic increase in later years.

In 1970, urban populations ranged narrowly between roughly 14% (Indonesia) and 32% (the Philippines), with Malaysia and Thailand at around 27% and 18% respectively. From this point, Malaysia’s urban population grew rapidly, overtaking the Philippines by 1990 and continuing to climb sharply to reach approximately 71% by 2010. This upward trend is projected to continue, reaching around 83% by 2040, making it the most urbanized nation throughout the period.

The Philippines showed modest, fluctuating growth, hovering between 42% and 48% from 1990 to 2010, before rising again to an estimated 55% by 2040. Thailand followed a similarly gradual pattern, remaining below 35% until 2020, then accelerating to around 50% by 2040.

Indonesia, despite starting lowest, saw the steepest rise after 2000, climbing from about 30% to a projected 63% by 2040, narrowing the gap with the Philippines and Thailand considerably.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent and fully addresses all requirements of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully highlighted key features, such as Malaysia's consistent lead and Indonesia's rapid growth. The data is accurately reported, and the comparisons between countries are well-integrated. By selecting the most significant data points rather than listing every single year, you have demonstrated a high level of analytical skill. The inclusion of both historical data and future projections is handled effectively, ensuring the reader understands the full scope of the graph.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from the introduction and overview to specific country comparisons. You have used a variety of cohesive devices such as 'from this point', 'simultaneously', and 'despite starting lowest' to link sentences and paragraphs effectively. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is smooth throughout the response. The structure is professional and makes the information very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have demonstrated a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases such as 'proportion of people', 'projected figures', 'urbanization', and 'accelerating' are used appropriately in an academic context. There is a good use of less common lexical items that enhance the quality of the writing. The word choices are natural and contribute to a sophisticated tone. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is well-suited to the task of describing statistical data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You have successfully used complex sentences, such as the opening sentence and the comparative structures in the body paragraphs, without error. Punctuation is used correctly to manage long sentences, and the tense usage—shifting between past, present, and future projections—is handled flawlessly. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips that might occur are non-systematic and do not impede communication in any way.

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