Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-07

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 compares the population in four Asian countries namely: Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia between 1970 and 2020 and also show the expected proportion of population in these countries for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, it is evident that all four countries recorded an increasing trend over the period and also predicted to rose population in future. Malaysia experienced substantial growth, while Philippines recorded minimal growth.

The proportion of population in Malaysia slightly climbed from 30% in 1970 to nearly 45% in 1990, it peaked at around 75% in 2020 and expected to surge to approximately 855 in 2040. In contrast, Philippines starts with 30% in 1970, it grew marginally to roughly 50% in 1990. Subsequently, it dipped minimally to nearly 45% in 2020 and is expected to increase again at around 555 in 2040.

Additionally, the percentage of population in Thailand and Indonesia was around 19% and 12% in 1970 respectively, the figure increased slightly to around 29% and 24% in 1990. while in 2020, the proportion of population in Indonesia peaked at almost 50%, the percentage of Thailand slightly grew to approximately 30%. Both of these countries are supposed to climb the percentage of population at about 60% and 45% in 2040 respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the data. You covered all four countries and included the future projections as required. However, there are some inaccuracies in your data reporting. For instance, you mention '855' and '555' instead of 85% and 55%, which are significant errors in data transcription. Additionally, while you compare the countries, the analysis could be more analytical by grouping the countries based on their growth patterns rather than just listing them. Ensure that all figures are checked against the graph to avoid misrepresenting the data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized into clear paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use some cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Additionally', and 'while', which help the flow of information. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the sentence structure within the paragraphs can be repetitive. For example, the use of 'the proportion of population' is repeated frequently, which affects the flow. Improving the variety of linking phrases and ensuring that referencing is consistent would help to elevate the coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'substantial growth', 'marginal', and 'surged'. However, there are some issues with word choice and collocation. For example, 'predicted to rose' is grammatically incorrect, and 'climb the percentage of population' is an awkward phrasing. You also have some typographical errors in your figures (e.g., 855 instead of 85%). To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise collocations and ensure that your vocabulary is used accurately in context to avoid these minor errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this task. However, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. Examples include 'also show' (should be 'also shows'), 'predicted to rose' (should be 'predicted to rise'), and 'Philippines starts' (should be 'the Philippines started'). There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and tense consistency. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for tense consistency and subject-verb agreement will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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