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 line chart presents information regarding the number of the people living in Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia form 1970 to 2020, along with the estimate for 2030 to 2040.
Overall, Malaysia has recorded the most population throughout the period. Philippines and Thailand experienced fluctuations, and Indonesia had steady growth over the time.
Malaysia and Philippines started at around 30% of the total population in 1970 and got steady growth till 1990 which reached to approximately 50%. After that Malaysia populated had surged and predicted to be just below 90% in 2030. While Philippines population dropped significantly after 2020 and predicted to resurge until 2030.
Thailand and Indonesia started at 15% and around 20% respectively, and continued to be at 3rd and 4th place throughout four decades till 2010. However, it is expected for Indonesia to go to the 2nd place and Philippines to drop to number three in the following decade. However, the population of the Thailand is estimated to become half of the Malaysia population in 2030.
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, including the trends for all four countries. However, there are significant inaccuracies in the data interpretation. For example, you state that Malaysia reached 50% in 1990, whereas the graph shows it closer to 40%. Furthermore, your description of the Philippines' population dropping after 2020 is not supported by the graph, which shows a continued upward trend. The task requires accurate reporting of data; misreading the graph significantly impacts the score. While you identify the main trends, the lack of precision in reporting the figures prevents a higher band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. There is a clear progression of ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally confusing. For instance, the transition 'However' is used twice in the final paragraph, which feels repetitive. Additionally, the referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the phrase 'Malaysia populated had surged', where the grammatical structure hinders the flow of information. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring they are used to connect ideas more naturally would enhance the coherence of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and range required for higher bands. There are several instances of awkward word choices and collocation errors, such as 'Malaysia populated had surged' (should be 'Malaysia's urban population surged') and 'estimate for 2030 to 2040' (should be 'projections'). You rely on basic descriptors like 'steady growth' and 'dropped significantly'. To improve, you should incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to trends, such as 'plateaued', 'fluctuated', or 'a gradual upward trajectory', and ensure that nouns and verbs are used correctly in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include subject-verb agreement ('Malaysia populated had surged'), missing articles ('the Philippines'), and incorrect verb tenses ('Philippines... predicted to resurge'). While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors is noticeable. To reach a higher band, you need to demonstrate better control over complex structures and ensure that basic grammar, such as pluralization and article usage, is consistent throughout the text.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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