Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-30
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 percentage of people living in cities from different countries (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines) from 1970 to 2020, with a forecast for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, Malaysia had the highest percentage of the population living in cities at the beginning of the period. In contrast, Indonesia and Thailand increased substantially throughout the period, while the Philippines experienced fluctuations. By 2040, Malaysia had become the largest population category in the country.
In 1970, Malaysia and the Philippines were the largest sectors, with approximately 30 percent each. Thailand and Indonesia each accounted for around 13 to 18 percent. By 1990, the Philippines' population had risen significantly to 45%, which was the highest figure shown on the graph. Over the same period, Indonesia increased to approximately 50% pepole live in cities, whereas the Philippines fell to approximately 35% in the year 2010
From 2010 onwards, Malaysia rose steadily over the given years. By contrast, Indonesia continued to grow, reaching approximately 50% at the end of the period. Thailand's population remained stable from 1990 to 2020 and also experienced considerable growth, rising to around 40% by 2030 and approximately 45% 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 | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the graph, including the starting points and the projected trends. However, there are significant inaccuracies in data reporting. For instance, you state that by 2040, Malaysia had become the 'largest population category', which is confusing phrasing, and your description of the Philippines' trends is contradictory, mentioning a rise to 45% in 1990 followed by a fall to 35% in 2010, which does not align well with the visual data. The overview is present but lacks precision. To improve, ensure that data points are accurately transcribed and that comparisons between countries are clearly articulated rather than just listing individual trends.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, moving from an introduction to an overview and then into body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'By 1990', and 'From 2010 onwards' are used to guide the reader. However, the progression of ideas within the body paragraphs is occasionally disjointed, particularly when discussing the Philippines. The transition between the 1990 data and the 2010 data is abrupt and lacks a clear logical link. While paragraphing is used appropriately, the internal flow needs more attention to ensure that the relationship between the data points is clearly established for the reader.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, using terms like 'illustrates', 'forecast', 'fluctuations', and 'steadily'. However, there are some awkward word choices, such as 'largest population category' and 'pepole live in cities' (a spelling error). The range is sufficient to convey the main points, but it lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations for describing trends, such as 'experienced a period of stagnation' or 'showed a marked upward trajectory', and ensure careful proofreading to avoid basic spelling errors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that detract from the quality of the writing. Examples include 'pepole live in cities' and the inconsistent use of tense when discussing future predictions (e.g., 'By 2040, Malaysia had become...'). There are also minor punctuation issues. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage for future projections will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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