Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-15

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 provided graph compares the percentage of the population settled in urban areas of four different Asian countries namely Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia from year 1970 to 2020, along with future predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, it is evident that people living in these four nations eventually chose to live in cities as the percentages have gradually increased for all. Malaysia has dominated other three countries, however, Philippines has experienced the most fluctuation.

To begin with, in 1970 only 30% of individuals were living in urban settlements in Malaysia, the proportion constantly increase throughout the year till 2020, which was sitting at around 70% of total population. Similarly, the percentage is predicted to experience upward trend and reach approximately 80% by 2040. Moreover, Thailand and Indonesia were sitting around 19% and 13% respectively, they experienced similar upward trend and was

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5

The student has attempted to address the prompt by introducing the graph, providing an overview, and beginning to detail specific country data. However, the response stops abruptly mid-sentence ('...and was'), failing to complete the body paragraphs or cover the full extent of the data for Thailand and Indonesia, let alone the end points of 2040. Furthermore, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement at 142 words. This constitutes a significant omission in task completion. Therefore, the response can only be awarded a band score of 4.5 due to the incomplete nature of the writing and the length penalty.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay begins with a clear introduction and an overall trend statement, indicating a basic organizational structure. Paragraphing is attempted, with a separate body paragraph initiated. However, because the text cuts off abruptly, it is difficult to assess full logical progression or cohesive device management across a complete response. Cohesive markers such as 'To begin with', 'Similarly', and 'Moreover' are used appropriately where they appear, but the overall mechanical and incomplete structure prevents the text from achieving a higher score.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary for the task, using terms such as 'percentage', 'urban areas', 'future predictions', and 'upward trend'. There are some minor awkward phrasings like 'percentage of the population settled in urban areas' rather than 'living in urban areas', and a grammatical error in 'dominated other three countries' (missing 'the'). Nevertheless, the lexical choices are generally understandable and suitable for a task 1 response, showing an attempt to vary vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student employs a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as introductory participial clauses ('The provided graph compares...') and relative clauses. There are some structural errors and awkwardness, for example, 'the proportion constantly increase throughout the year till 2020' (tense inconsistency and missing article/pluralisation) and the incomplete sentence at the end ('...and was'). Despite these errors, communication is generally clear up to the point where the text stops.

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

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