Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-12
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 5.0)
The line graph displays data about the proportion of the population in four asian nations (Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia) residing in cities between 1970 and 2020, with predictions for further two decades from 2030.
overall, it is evident that in the beginning individuals living in the cities was lowest in Indonesia while Philippines holding the first position. However, Malaysia hold the highest proportion of public living in the cities in 2020 and expected to dominant till last interval whereas thailand is lowest in same interval.
On the one hand, in 1970 Philippines hold the highest proportion of public with approximately 30% residing in the cities and this number grows to about 40% holding third position in 2020. Although Indonesia was in last position in the beginning with about 13%, in 2020 this percentage grows by about 45% begin
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to summarise the main features of the line graph showing urbanisation percentages in four Asian countries. However, the response fails to meet the minimum word count of 150 words, stopping abruptly at 139 words and remaining incomplete. Furthermore, key features such as the start and end values are partially inaccurate or poorly reported, as seen in the statement that Indonesia grew to 45% in 2020 while the sentence trails off incomplete. Because the task is unfinished and under length, it aligns best with Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The text uses some basic cohesive devices and an overview paragraph ("overall, it is evident that..."), but paragraphing is poorly handled. The second paragraph is extremely short, and the third paragraph breaks off abruptly in the middle of a sentence. Referencing is sometimes unclear, for example using vague terms like "this number grows" without properly anchoring the data points. Progression is disrupted by the incomplete nature of the response. This performance fits the Band 5.0 descriptors.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student uses an adequate basic vocabulary related to the task, including terms like "proportion," "population," and "predictions." However, there are notable word choice and spelling errors, such as capitalisation issues ("asian," "thailand"), awkward phrasing ("public living in the cities"), and repetitive use of words like "proportion" and "position." Because the vocabulary is limited and contains noticeable errors, it warrants a Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The writing contains a mix of simple and attempted complex structures, but grammatical control is weak. There are issues with subject-verb agreement and tense consistency, such as "Malaysia hold the highest proportion" and "Philippines hold the highest proportion." Punctuation and capitalization are also flawed at the beginning of sentences. Frequent errors cause some difficulty for the reader, matching the criteria for Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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