Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-16
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 illustrates the percentage of population in four asian cities from 1970 through 2020 and to predict for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, the poulation in all four cities rised with the passage of time but the major gain population occur in malaysia and thailand has lowest percentage in population. Phillippines get a slight chnge in population by 2020 as it was 30% in 1970 then goes upto 45% in 1990 then dropped down in 2020 again.
Indonesia got the sharp rise from 1970 to 2020 from 10% to 30%. With the prediction for 2030 and 2040 all four cities will get more population but for malaysia, it remaine at first position by 80% and in other four cities does not has a major difference in population by 2040.
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 fails to meet the minimum length requirement of 150 words, coming in at 130 words, which negatively impacts task achievement. Furthermore, while the student attempts to present an overview and select main features, there are notable inaccuracies in reading the data. For instance, the text claims Indonesia rose from 10% to 30% between 1970 and 2020, whereas the graph shows an increase from 14% to 52%. The overview is also somewhat underdeveloped and refers to countries as 'cities'. However, the response does attempt to report on trends across the four nations and make some comparisons, placing it at Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is divided into paragraphs, including an introductory sentence, an overview, and body details. However, the logical progression is weak due to abrupt shifts between countries and confusing referencing (e.g., 'in other four cities does not has a major difference'). Cohesive devices are minimal and sometimes inaccurate, such as using 'then goes upto' repetitively or unstructured transitions. Paragraphing is attempted, but overall the structure feels disjointed and lacks clear overarching progression, justifying a Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, frequently relying on simple terms like 'population', 'percentage', 'rise', and 'cities' (incorrectly applied to countries). There are noticeable lexical errors, such as 'rised' instead of 'rose', 'major gain population occur', and 'slight chnge'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with limited success ('prediction', 'percentage'). While meaning is generally conveyed, the lexical range is narrow and restricted, fitting the Band 5.0 descriptor.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but attempts at complex structures often contain noticeable errors. Examples include tense confusion ('to predict for 2030 and 2040', 'it remaine at first position'), subject-verb agreement issues ('poulation... rised', 'thailand has lowest percentage'), and awkward prepositional phrases. Punctuation and basic grammar errors are frequent throughout the text, though they rarely obscure the overall meaning entirely, making Band 5.0 an appropriate score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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