Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-03
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 chart illustrates the proportion of total population in four Asian nations such as Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia between 1970 to 2040.
It can be observed that, in 1970, there was 14% population lived in Philippines ,while 19% people lived in Thailand. However individuals reside in both Malaysia and Indonesia accounted for 30%. In 1990, population rose in all Asian nations. After a two decade, population in both nations Indonesia and Thailand stood at 30%. However, decline was seen in Thailand and reached 45%. In Malaysia it increased which was 60%.
It can be seen that in 2020, while population reached 30% in Thailand, in Philippines it stood at 45%. In Indonesia it rose and reached 50% whereas in Malaysia it accounted for 70%. In 2040, the population in Thailand will be 50% of total population. In Malaysia it will increase a lot and reached 80% of total population.
Overall, although there was few population lived in Indonesia in the beginning, more people live in the Philippines at the end of the period.
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, but the analysis is inconsistent and contains factual inaccuracies. For example, you state that in 1990, the population rose in all nations, but the graph shows a decline for some. Furthermore, the description of the trends is often confusing; you mention a 'decline' in Thailand followed by a figure of 45%, which contradicts the visual data. While you identify key points for 1970, 2020, and 2040, the lack of precision in reporting the data and the failure to clearly compare the countries throughout the period prevent a higher score. You need to ensure that the data points cited accurately reflect the graph provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the logical progression within paragraphs is often weak. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'It can be seen that' or 'In [country]'. Additionally, some sentences are disjointed, making it difficult to follow the comparison between the four nations. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'conversely', 'in contrast', 'meanwhile') to connect ideas more fluidly and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. You rely heavily on simple verbs like 'rose', 'reached', and 'accounted for'. There is little attempt to use more sophisticated vocabulary related to trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'remained stable', or 'surpassed'. Some phrasing is also unnatural, such as 'there was 14% population lived in Philippines'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate a broader range of lexical items to describe trends and proportions more precisely, and pay closer attention to word order and collocation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include missing articles (e.g., 'in Philippines'), incorrect verb tenses, and awkward sentence construction (e.g., 'After a two decade, population in both nations Indonesia and Thailand stood at 30%'). While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors suggests a lack of control over complex structures. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions would significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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