Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-27
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 line chart illustrates the percentage of people living in cities in four Asian countries between 1970 and 2020, with projections for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, it can be seen that the proportions of people living in cities in all four countries experienced upward trends. Malaysia had the highest figures for most of the period, while Thailand is predicted to experience the most rapid growth in the future.
According to the chart, The proportion of the population in the Philippines living in cities stood at 30% in 1970, which fluctuated since 1970, since then the data will rise 50% in 2040. However, the figure for Malaysia will be increasing well above 80% by 2040.
In addition, although the percentage of Thailand and Indonesia started at well over 10% in 1970, then the figure increased gradually to 30% in 2020, since then Thailand will be improving just below 50% by 2040, and Indonesia is projected to surge to around 60% by 2040.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the data. You covered all four countries and included both historical data and future projections. However, the report lacks precision in describing the data points. For instance, you mention the Philippines 'fluctuated since 1970' without specifying the extent or the nature of these changes. Additionally, the description of Thailand and Indonesia is slightly confusing due to the phrasing 'started at well over 10%'. To improve, ensure you provide more specific data points to support your comparisons, as this is essential for a higher band score in Task 1.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use basic cohesive devices like 'In addition' and 'However' to link ideas. However, the flow within sentences is sometimes hindered by awkward phrasing, such as 'which fluctuated since 1970, since then the data will rise'. This creates a repetitive and slightly disjointed reading experience. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that your sentences follow a logical progression without unnecessary repetition of time markers.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'projections', 'upward trends', and 'surge'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'improving just below 50%', where 'improving' is not the most appropriate term for describing statistical growth. The vocabulary is generally functional but lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. To improve, try to use more precise verbs for describing trends, such as 'climb', 'plateau', or 'peak', and ensure they are used in the correct context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. For example, 'the data will rise 50% in 2040' is grammatically awkward, and the tense usage is inconsistent when discussing past data alongside future projections. There are also issues with punctuation and sentence boundaries, such as the run-on sentence in the third paragraph. To improve, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and ensuring consistent tense usage when switching between historical data and future predictions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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