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 graph illustrates the information about percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020,with predictions for 2030 and 2040.
The graph shows the variation about the percentage of population for 50 years in four countries likewise Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. It has also given the prediction about the population percentage for the years 2030 and 2040. Out of all these countries, the Malaysia shows the highest increasing trend in population from 30 to 70.5%. On the other hand, the Thailand and Philippines show lowest increasing trend of population from 1970 to 2020.
The graph also show the trend of population percentage for the Indonesia which is gradually increasing form 10.5 to 50 % at second number after Malaysia. Moreover, the percentage for Philippines was 30.1% till 1980 then it is suddenly rise in 1990 and then a sudden fall occur till 2010 which is ranked at 3rd number. but according to the predicted date from 2020 to 2040 the trend will gradually rise. Similarly, the population trend for Thailand was also between 20 to 30 % till 2020 which certainly would increase from 30 to 45% for 2030 and 2040 ranked at 4th number after Philippines.
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 all parts of the task by identifying the main trends and making comparisons between the four countries. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you mention the highest and lowest trends, the description of the data is occasionally inaccurate or confusing, such as the claim that the Philippines had a 'sudden fall' which is not clearly supported by the graph. To reach a higher band, ensure that the data points cited are precise and that the overview clearly highlights the most significant trends (e.g., the overall upward trajectory of all countries) rather than just listing individual country movements.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, and there is a logical progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices like 'On the other hand,' 'Moreover,' and 'Similarly' to link sentences. However, the use of these devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly unnatural. The paragraphing is a bit disjointed, as the second paragraph is quite long and covers multiple countries in a way that feels slightly cluttered. Improving the flow between sentences and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the coherence of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. You rely on repetitive phrasing such as 'percentage of population' and 'increasing trend.' There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'suddenly rise' (should be 'rose suddenly') and 'predicted date' (should be 'predictions'). To improve, try to incorporate a wider range of synonyms for 'increase' (e.g., 'climb,' 'surge,' 'grow') and 'decrease' (e.g., 'decline,' 'drop'), and ensure that you use nouns and verbs correctly in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Common issues include incorrect article usage (e.g., 'the Malaysia,' 'the Thailand'), subject-verb agreement errors (e.g., 'the Malaysia shows,' 'the graph also show'), and tense inconsistencies. While the meaning is generally clear, these persistent errors prevent the writing from reaching a higher level of accuracy. Focusing on basic grammar rules, particularly regarding articles and verb forms, will significantly improve the quality of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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