Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-28
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 5.0)
The line graph provides information about the ratio of the inhabitants in four Asian countries been living in cities since 1970 to 2000, with forecast for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, the graph represents that in1970 proportion of Philippines was higher about 32%,while others declined to below 20%, however gradually there is a significantly increase in the ratio of other countries, simultaneously the percentage of the population of Malaysia hit 70% and is been claimed to be reached appropriately 80% afterwards
Malaysia's population in 1970 was higher about 30% and is been increasing to approximately 80% in 2040, however Indonesia's population rate on the other hand was too low in 1970, although there is a sudden increase in the ratio about 50% in the upcoming days
Philippines rate of population is too higher than other countries about 32%, while it's ratio fluctuates, however Thailand's population ratio increased gradually throughout the years
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to summarize the data but fails to provide a clear or accurate overview. The information presented is often factually incorrect based on the graph (e.g., stating Philippines was higher at 32% in 1970 when the graph shows it lower than others, or misinterpreting the trends). The main features are not clearly highlighted, and the comparison between countries is confusing and lacks precision. The report lacks a logical selection of data points, making it difficult for the reader to grasp the overall trends in urbanization. To improve, focus on identifying the starting and ending points for each country and describing the overall trajectory (e.g., steady growth vs. rapid acceleration) rather than listing isolated, inaccurate figures.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the internal structure is weak. The use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused, such as the repetitive use of 'however' and 'although' which do not always logically connect the ideas. The progression of information is disjointed, and the referencing is unclear, particularly when discussing the countries. The lack of clear topic sentences makes it difficult to follow the development of the argument. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus, such as grouping countries by their growth patterns or comparing them at specific time intervals.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and often imprecise. There are frequent errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'ratio of the inhabitants' instead of 'percentage of the population', 'been living' instead of 'living', and 'upcoming days' to refer to future decades. The phrasing is often awkward, which hinders the clarity of the report. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more academic vocabulary related to data description, such as 'proportion', 'fluctuate', 'upward trend', and 'projected to reach'. Avoid informal or vague expressions like 'too low' or 'too higher'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are significant issues with verb tenses (e.g., 'is been increasing', 'is been claimed'), subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure. Many sentences are fragmented or run-on, making the text difficult to parse. The range of structures is limited, and there is little evidence of complex sentence control. To improve, focus on mastering basic tense consistency and ensuring that subjects and verbs agree. Practice writing clear, simple sentences before attempting more complex structures to ensure that your meaning is conveyed accurately.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.