Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The line graph illustrates the proportion of the population im Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia between 1970 and 2020 also with predictions for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, Malasiya showed an upward trend throughout the period, whereas Thailand experienced a gradual decline. By the end of the period Malaysia recorded the highest figure.
In 1970, Phillippines stood at 31 percent, while Malasiya recorded 30 percent. By comparison, Indonesia had the lowest figure at 15 percent, followed by Thialand at 19 percent. Over the following years, Phillipines fluctuate slightly and then decreased steadily arond 49 percent. Malasiya overtook Phillipines and rose gradually, reaching around 82 percent and become the highest.
Turning to the remaining categories, Thailand slightly experienced a gradual decline and then after 2020 increased steadily and reached a peak of 44 percent. Likewise, Indonesia climed steadily to 44 percent and become the second highest. Overall, Malaysia remained the highest category while, Thailand recorded the lowest in the final year.
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 comparing the four countries. However, there are significant inaccuracies in the data reporting. For instance, you state that Thailand experienced a 'gradual decline' and then increased, but the graph shows a consistent upward trend for Thailand from 1970 to 2040. Additionally, you mention that Malaysia reached 82 percent, while the graph indicates a different figure. These inaccuracies in data interpretation prevent the response from reaching a higher band. To improve, ensure you carefully cross-reference your written summary with the visual data provided to avoid misrepresenting the trends.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'In 1970', 'By comparison', and 'Turning to' are used to guide the reader. However, the progression of ideas is occasionally hindered by the factual errors mentioned in the task achievement section. Furthermore, some referencing is slightly mechanical. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that the transition between sentences flows more naturally to enhance the overall logical progression of your report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task, using terms like 'proportion', 'upward trend', 'fluctuate', and 'steadily'. However, there are several spelling errors, such as 'Malasiya' (Malaysia), 'Phillippines' (Philippines), 'Thialand' (Thailand), and 'climed' (climbed). These errors are frequent enough to be noticeable. To reach a higher band, you should focus on accurate spelling of the countries mentioned in the prompt and attempt to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to data description, such as 'surpassed', 'plateaued', or 'projected'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'also with predictions' (which is awkward), 'become the highest' (should be 'became'), and 'Thailand slightly experienced a gradual decline' (which is grammatically redundant). There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and tense consistency. To improve, pay closer attention to verb forms and sentence construction. Proofreading for basic errors like missing articles or incorrect verb tenses will help you achieve a higher score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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