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 graph tracks the information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia living in cities from the past 1970 to 2020 , with predictions of future for 2030 to 2040.
The most rise is likely to be noticed in Malaysia from 30% to 80%. Whereas other countries experiencing the rise and fall in the percentage and are most likely to be under 60% of total population.And as for the future predictions Malaysia’s population growth is expected to be the highest in 2040.
Certainly the biggest growth for the future of other asian countries include Indonesia is the Second most country with the highest population growth with the percentage of 60%. Compared to Thailand and Philippines both countries seem to have a noticeable increase and decrease situation but still managed to be under 50% predictions for future growth rate.
Malaysia population living in cities from 1970 to 2020 with future population growth rate from 2030 to 2040 have the highest possibilities.
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, such as the overall upward trend in Malaysia and the relative positions of the other countries. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial and lacks precision. For instance, the claim that other countries are experiencing 'rise and fall' is inaccurate, as the graph shows a general upward trend for all, albeit at different rates. Furthermore, the description of the data is occasionally vague, such as referring to 'noticeable increase and decrease situation' without citing specific data points or comparing the starting and ending values effectively. To improve, you should focus on selecting key data points (e.g., 1970 vs 2040) to support your observations.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow between sentences is often disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical or misused, such as starting a sentence with 'Certainly' or 'And as for'. The referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between the four countries. The final paragraph is particularly weak, as it repeats information already mentioned rather than providing a concluding summary of the main trends. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring each paragraph has a clear, singular focus would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. There is a reliance on basic phrasing, such as 'most rise' instead of 'the most significant increase' or 'highest growth'. Some word choices are awkward or imprecise, such as 'noticeable increase and decrease situation' and 'Second most country'. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of variety and occasional misuse of collocations limit the score. To improve, try to incorporate more academic vocabulary related to trends and data reporting, such as 'fluctuate', 'projected', 'proportion', and 'surpass'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. Examples include 'the past 1970 to 2020', 'predictions of future for 2030 to 2040', and 'Second most country with the highest population growth'. There are also issues with article usage and prepositional phrases. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles would help improve the overall accuracy of your sentences.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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