Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-02

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 given line graph describes about the percentage figure of the population in four different Asian countries living in towns from financial years 1970 to 2020. The X-axis shows the years where the y-axis depicts the percentage of total population.

To begin with, Malaysia started at a low figure with the number of people around 31%. Later, it continued to rise slightly before increasing significantly till the end of 2040 with approximately 80% subjected residents in Malaysia. In contrast, showed a few fluctuations with a major spike in 1990 and subjected to increase to up to 50% by 2040.

On the other hand, Thailand and Indonesia had different trend patterns.

Overall, it is clear from all perspectives that Malaysia will eventually reach its peak in the year 2040 where the other countries will rise significantly in the future but not as Philippines/

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. Furthermore, the content is incomplete; the description of Thailand and Indonesia is entirely missing, and the conclusion is cut off mid-sentence. While you identified some main features for Malaysia, the lack of data coverage for the other countries means the task is only partially addressed. To improve, ensure you provide a comprehensive overview of all data points presented in the graph and manage your time effectively to complete the summary before the word limit is reached.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, and there is an attempt to use cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'In contrast', and 'On the other hand'. However, the progression of ideas is interrupted by the incomplete nature of the text. The final sentence is unfinished, which disrupts the logical flow of the summary. While the paragraphing is present, the lack of a fully developed body paragraph for the remaining countries makes the overall structure feel disjointed and incomplete. Focus on ensuring each paragraph has a clear purpose and that your conclusion synthesizes the main trends effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'fluctuations', 'significant', and 'percentage figure'. However, there are some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'subjected residents' and 'describes about'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'upward trajectory', 'plateaued', or 'marginal increase'. Additionally, ensure that your word choices are grammatically appropriate for the context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. For example, 'describes about' is incorrect, and 'where the y-axis depicts' is a slightly awkward construction. There are also issues with sentence fragments and incomplete thoughts, particularly in the final paragraph. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of errors and the unfinished nature of the writing prevent a higher score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and ensuring that every sentence has a clear subject and predicate.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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