Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-04

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 7.5)

The line graph presents the proportion of the population living in cities in four different Asian countries between 1970 and 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, all countries experienced an upward trajectory, and their predictions followed the same trend. The Philippines faced some fluctuations throughout the whole period, but at the end the proportion of it was greater than at the beginning.

Firstly, the Philippines had the highest share in 1970, at 31%, and rose slightly to 32% in 1980. It then increased significantly to around 50% in 1990 before declining to 45% in 2000 and 40% in 2010. In 2020, the figure recovered slightly to 42%. It is projected to rise to approximately 50% in 2030 and 52% in 2040. Secondly, Malaysia's share increased from 30% in 1970 to approximately 45% in 1980. It then rose sharply to 60% in 1990, surpassing the Philippines, before reaching 70% in 2010 and 75% in 2020. The figure is forecast to increase further, reaching 80% in 2030 and around 83% in 2040.

In addition, Thailand's share increased gradually from 19% in 1970 to 22% in 1980 and 27% in 1990. It then remained relatively stable, reaching approximately 28% in 2020. The figure is projected to rise to 35% in 2030 and around 42% in 2040. Finally, Indonesia experienced a steady upward trend, rising from 13% in 1970 to 16% in 1980, 22% in 1990, and 25% in 2000. It surpassed Thailand in 2010 and the Philippines in 2020. The figure is forecast to increase substantially to 60% in 2030 and 62% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively covers all parts of the task. You have identified the main trends for all four countries and provided relevant data points to support your descriptions. The overview clearly highlights the general upward trend across the board. You have successfully made comparisons, such as noting when Malaysia surpassed the Philippines or when Indonesia overtook Thailand. The information is well-selected, and the inclusion of both past data and future projections is handled accurately. The response is well-structured and meets the requirements for a high-level summary of the provided graph.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for each country or group of countries. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'In addition', and 'Finally'. Referencing is clear throughout the text, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different sections of the data. The flow between sentences is natural, making the report easy to follow and understand.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing trends, such as 'upward trajectory', 'fluctuations', 'surpassing', and 'forecast to increase substantially'. The word choice is generally precise and fits the context of an academic report. While the vocabulary is effective, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or varied synonyms to reach the highest band, but the current range is sufficient for a high score. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use a variety of grammatical forms, including passive voice ('is projected to rise') and complex clauses, which are generally accurate. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your sentences. While there are very occasional minor slips, the majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over grammar is consistent throughout the piece. The structure is sophisticated enough to convey the information clearly and professionally.

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

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