Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-26
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 bar graph illustrates the information about the percentage of the inhabitant in four Asian Countries living in Cities from 1970 to 2020, with Predictions for 2030 and 2040.
To Began with, In, Philippines Population living by 30% in 1970. from 1970 to 1990 percentage were flucuated, and then rose steadily to around 70% by 2020. On Malaysia people lived in Cities around 30% by 1970, but 1970 to 2000 Percentage Considerably reaching about 60%% and approximately 75% 2020. Ondonesia showed gradual growth in 1970 upward, reaching around 30% in 2000, but then increased sharply to about 55% in 2020.
In Thailand, people lived in cities around 20%, and gradually reaching at land 25% in 1990 from 1990 to 2020 Percentage were remain changed. It is a 2020 Percentage were forecast to reach roughly 40% in 2040. Meanwhile, Indonesia and philippines is expected to rise, reaching around 55% apploximately in 2010. Malaysia is Predicted to remain the most, at approximately 85%.
Overall, Malaysia had the highest percentage for the most of Period, while Indonesia experienced the fastest growth after 2000 and is predicted to continue rising. Thailand remained the least unbanised country until around 2000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the graph, including the trends for all four countries and the future predictions. However, the data reporting is often inaccurate or confusing. For instance, the description of Thailand's trend is unclear, and the statement about Indonesia and the Philippines reaching 55% in 2010 contradicts the visual data provided. While the overview is present, the lack of precision in reporting figures and the inclusion of incorrect data points prevent a higher score. To improve, ensure that the data extracted from the graph is accurate and that comparisons between countries are clearly articulated.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused, such as 'To Began with' and 'Ondonesia'. The progression of ideas is sometimes disjointed, particularly in the second and third paragraphs where the transition between countries and time periods feels abrupt. Referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult to track which country or time period is being discussed. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring clear paragraph transitions would significantly enhance the flow of the writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally limited and repetitive, relying on basic terms like 'rose', 'increased', and 'growth'. There are several spelling errors, such as 'inhabitant' instead of 'inhabitants', 'flucuated' instead of 'fluctuated', and 'unbanised' instead of 'urbanised'. Additionally, word choice is occasionally awkward, such as 'living by 30%' or 'reaching at land 25%'. To achieve a higher band score, you should aim to use a wider range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'surged', 'plateaued', or 'gradual incline', and pay closer attention to spelling and accurate word collocations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'Philippines Population living by 30%'), incorrect verb tenses (e.g., 'Percentage were flucuated'), and missing articles or prepositions. Sentence structures are mostly simple, and attempts at more complex sentences often result in errors, such as 'It is a 2020 Percentage were forecast to reach'. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring consistent verb tenses when describing past and future trends, and proofreading for common errors in articles and pluralisation.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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