Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-14

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 6.0)

The multiline graph illustrates how the proportion of the population changed in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020. It also shows the prediction for this from 2030 to 2040.

Overall , the percentage of urban residents in all four cities increased from 1970 to 2000.Altough, Malaysia dominated the figures of population almost throughout the period, Indonesia rose significantly.

In 1970, urbanisation in the Philippines and Malaysia was almost 30% but it exceeded 49%-50% by 1990.But after this ,the Philippines experienced a dip until 2010 where it became steady yet regained its progress. Conversely, urbanisation of Malaysia continued to grow .

In 1970, the rate of urbanisation in Indonesia and Thailand was almost 15%-18% and it continued to grow ,by 2020 it was 50% for Indonesia and 30% for Thailand.

According to predictions, the level of urbanisation will grow continuously with Philippines at the top with approximately 80% and Thailand at the bottom with almost 42%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively covers the main features of the graph, outlining trends in urbanisation for the four Asian countries from 1970 to 2020 alongside predictions. You correctly identify key data points, such as Malaysia and the Philippines starting around 30% in 1970 and the significant growth in Indonesia and Thailand. The overview paragraph clearly captures the general upward trend across all countries. While some specific data details could be further elaborated—such as exact figures for the 2030 and 2040 predictions—all parts of the task are addressed with relevant comparisons. The information selected is well reported, fitting the requirements of a Band 7 level response for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The report shows a clear logical organization with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs dedicated to different timeframes and country groupings. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the data, such as 'Conversely', 'according to predictions', and 'after this'. However, there are some mechanical errors in punctuation and spacing around conjunctions and commas, as seen in phrases like 'Overall ,' and 'Altough, Malaysia'. Paragraphing is utilized sufficiently to separate the introduction, overview, and body sections, providing a clear progression of ideas overall, which aligns well with a Band 6.5 or solid Band 6 descriptor, leaning to a Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying trends with terms like 'proportion of the population', 'urbanisation', 'dip', and 'growth'. You attempt less common lexical items such as 'dominated the figures' and 'regained its progress'. However, there are a few spelling and word-choice inaccuracies, notably 'Altough' instead of 'Although' and the awkward phrasing 'population almost throughout the period' instead of 'urban population proportion'. Despite these minor flaws, communication is never impeded, demonstrating a sufficient range of vocabulary that easily warrants a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating clauses with subordinating conjunctions such as 'while' and 'as'. There are several grammatical and punctuation errors throughout the text, including spacing issues before punctuation marks (e.g., 'Overall , the percentage'), missing commas, and run-on structures like 'until 2010 where it became steady yet regained its progress'. Despite these recurrent minor errors in punctuation and occasional awkward phrasing, the majority of your sentences remain comprehensible and your meaning is successfully communicated, placing your grammatical control firmly at a Band 6.0.

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

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