Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-11

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 shows percentage of the population of four countries Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

Malaysia show the maximum percentage of population with the passage of time while Thailand shows the least projection in the population till 2040 although from 1970 till early 2000 population was more than Indonesia.

Philippines shows an increasing trend up to 50% till early 1990 but it decreases up to 40% till 2010 and after that its shows an increasing trend and projection of around 55% till 2040.

Indonesia population was least in 1970 but till 2020 it surpasses both Thailand and Philippines percentage of population.

The highest projection shows by Malaysia and Thailand shows increasing trend even after 2040. The projection of three countries especially Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia ranges from 45% to 60% till 2040 while Malaysia shows

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have identified some main features, such as Malaysia's leading position and the general trends for the other countries, the analysis is incomplete. The final sentence is unfinished, leaving the task unaddressed. To improve, you must ensure all parts of the prompt are covered, including a clear overview and sufficient supporting data for all countries. The lack of a concluding summary and the incomplete nature of the final sentence mean that the task is only partially addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay lacks a clear structure. While there is an attempt to group information by country, the progression of ideas is disjointed. There is a lack of cohesive devices to link sentences and paragraphs effectively; for example, the transition between the description of the Philippines and Indonesia is abrupt. Paragraphing is also insufficient, as the text is presented in a fragmented manner. To improve, use linking words such as 'furthermore', 'in contrast', or 'subsequently' to guide the reader through the data and ensure each paragraph has a clear focus.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'shows', 'increasing trend', and 'percentage'. While you successfully use some topic-specific vocabulary such as 'projection' and 'surpasses', the range is limited. There are also issues with word choice, such as 'least projection', which is not a standard collocation. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more varied synonyms for 'increase' (e.g., 'climb', 'soar', 'rise') and 'decrease' (e.g., 'decline', 'dip', 'drop') to describe the trends more precisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains several grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are frequent issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'Malaysia show', 'Philippines shows... it decreases') and missing articles (e.g., 'Indonesia population'). The sentence structures are mostly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. The unfinished final sentence also demonstrates a lack of control over sentence completion. To improve, focus on consistent subject-verb agreement and ensure that every sentence has a clear subject, verb, and object. Proofreading for basic punctuation and article usage would also be beneficial.

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

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