Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The line graph illustrates the percentage of population in four Asian countries namely Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia between 1970 and 2020 with expected population in 2030 and 2040.

Overall, it is evident that the population of Malaysia grew over the period and it is expected to occupy the largest percentage of population among these countries. However, Thailand was overtook by Indonesia to become the lowest populated city.

Regarding Philippines and Malaysia, Philppines stood at roughly 31% in 1970, then it was overtook by the population of Malaysia between 1989 and 1990 and in 2020 it rose to a value below 49%. Philppines population is expected to peaked at an approximate value of 61%. However, Malaysia population reported 30% in 1970 and rose steadily reaching 2020 at a percentage value around 75% and it was project to reach 84% in 2040.

Turning to Thailand and Indonesia, the population in Thailand recorded a value below 20, then it increased relatively to roughly 29% in1990 and it fluctuated slighlty to a value around 31% between 2000 and 2010. Population in Thailand was forecasted to rose steadily peaking at roughly 52% in 2040. Conversely, people in Indonesia city stood at an approximately value of 15%, it overtook the population of Thailand in 2000 and further rose to matches similar figure with Philippines in 2010. Meanwhile, it was projected to peaked at rougly 62% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features, selecting appropriate data points, and making relevant comparisons between the four countries. An overview is provided, noting general trends and changes in rankings. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in reporting specific data points, such as the confusion between population percentage and urban population, and occasional over-generalizations in trend descriptions. Nevertheless, the core requirements of Task 1 are well satisfied, earning a solid Band 6.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is organized into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs dedicated to contrasting country pairs. Cohesive devices are employed reasonably well, using transitional phrases such as 'Regarding Philippines and Malaysia' and 'Conversely'. However, referencing and cohesion are sometimes mechanical, and occasional abrupt transitions affect the overall fluency of progression. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, but logical flow could be enhanced with more sophisticated linking words. Overall, the organizational structure meets the criteria for Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as 'fluctuated', 'forecasted', and 'projected'. However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'lowest populated city' instead of 'lowest urban population percentage' and 'Philppines population is expected to peaked' (grammatical form error combined with lexical choice). Spelling errors like 'slighlty' and 'rougly' also occur. While these errors do not impede communication, they restrict the lexical score to Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and time markers. However, there are frequent grammatical and punctuation errors throughout the text, such as tense inconsistencies ('was overtook' instead of 'was overtaken', 'expected to peaked' instead of 'expected to peak') and missing prepositions. While the meaning remains mostly clear and these errors rarely impede communication, the density of grammatical slips prevents the response from achieving a higher band. Therefore, a Band 6.0 is appropriate.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.