Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-13

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 compares the percentage of the population in four asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040. At a glance, Malaysia will have highest populatoin in 2040.

To begin with, trend of the every graph increased over the period of time except the phillippines. Indonesia had a lowest population(approximately 14%) in 1970, while Philippines had a highest population in the same year. Both were faced a rapid growth in the year of 1980. In 1990 Phillippines faced declined trend, while Indonesia was steadily increased. In 2040, Indonesia will have around 60% population and phillipines will have 51% of populaton. Thiland and Malaysia both showed uptrend,, where Thailand had 19% population and Malaysia had 30% population. Thialand population was remained stable at 30% between 1990 and 2040, while malaysia reached 43% to 87% in the same year.

Overall, the Indonesia and Malaysia will contains the most population, while, Thailand and Phillipiens will have lowest population in the future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all four countries and spans the required time frame from 1970 to 2040, making general comparisons throughout. However, some of the data points and trends reported are inaccurate or confusingly stated, such as claiming Thailand's population remained stable at 30% between 1990 and 2040 or misinterpreting figures. The overview is quite basic and contains inaccuracies regarding future proportions. While the main features are partially highlighted, the lack of precision and some underdeveloped reporting place this at a Band 5.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is divided into three brief paragraphs, including a clear introduction and overall concluding statement. However, paragraphing and logical progression are hindered by abrupt transitions and disjointed sentences, such as 'To begin with, trend of the every graph increased...' Cohesive devices are used mechanically or are missing, and referencing is occasionally unclear (e.g., mixing up countries' figures in the second body paragraph). This results in a disjointed flow that meets the requirements for a Band 5.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting words like 'approximately', 'rapid growth', 'declined trend', and 'uptrend'. However, there are frequent word choice and collocation errors, as well as spelling mistakes ('populatoin', 'phillippines', 'Thiland', 'Thialand', 'phillipines'). Vocabulary is often repetitive, using words like 'population' and 'highest/lowest' multiple times inaccurately. These errors do not completely impede communication, aligning the response with a Band 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'Indonesia had a lowest population in 1970, while Philippines had a highest population...' However, grammatical accuracy is weak, featuring missing articles ('had a lowest', 'trend of the every graph'), incorrect prepositions, and awkward passive/active confusions ('Both were faced a rapid growth', 'Thialand population was remained stable'). Frequent errors in basic grammar structures cause difficulty for the reader, placing this performance at a Band 5.0.

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