Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-25
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 given line graph represents the percentage of the population of the cities from year 1970 to 2020 and the predictions till the year 2040. The x-axis shows percentage of population and y-axis illustrate the timeline from year 1970 to 2040.
In the given graph the population of five countries Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia are compared. Initially in the year 1970 we see that the Philippines was having the highest population among the compared countries, which was 31%. Malaysia was just less than Philippines by one percent. Where there is a big difference between the percentage of Malaysia and Thailand. The population of Thailand in 1970 was 19%. Where there was a 4% of difference between Thailand and Indonesia. The population Indonesia was the lowest of all, which was 15%. In the year 2020 the population of Malaysia was the highest, which was 73%. Where the lowest was Thailand, which was 30%. The population of Malaysia is predicted to be growing continuously and remain the highest among the given countries till 2040. The population of Thailand is also expected to grow continuously but remain the lowest among all.
Overall the population of all countries are predicted to have a decent growth. There was a close comparisons between population of Malaysia and Philippines. Philippines which was the highest in 1970 fall to third position in year 2020. Where as Indonesia which was the lowest in 1970 got second largest in year 2020.
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, identifying the starting and ending points for the four countries. However, there are inaccuracies in the description of the data. For instance, you state the x-axis shows the percentage of the population and the y-axis the timeline, when in fact the reverse is true. Additionally, you mention 'five countries' in the introduction but only list four. While you highlight the trends for Malaysia and Thailand, the analysis of the data could be more precise. To improve, ensure you accurately interpret the axes and provide a more comprehensive overview of the trends rather than just listing individual data points.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'Where there is a big difference' and 'Where the lowest was' are used incorrectly as sentence starters, which disrupts the flow. The progression of ideas is generally logical, but the transitions between sentences could be smoother. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that referencing (e.g., 'the former', 'the latter') is used to avoid repetitive sentence structures.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety required for higher bands. You rely on basic descriptors like 'highest', 'lowest', and 'big difference'. There is also some awkward phrasing, such as 'decent growth' and 'got second largest', which are not ideal for an academic report. To improve, incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'gradual increase', or 'significant disparity'. Expanding your range of collocations will help convey the information more professionally.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'the population of the cities from year 1970', 'Philippines was having the highest', and 'the population of all countries are predicted'. Subject-verb agreement and article usage are inconsistent. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed accurately.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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