Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-18
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 displays information about the proportion of the citizens residing in cities of four Asian countries between 1970 and 2020, along with future interpretation for the year 2030 and 2040.
Overall, the graph shows an increasing trend over the period. With Philippines being the top country with maximum population and Indonesia holding the least in 1970. Over the time, it got changed and in the year 2010, Malaysia reached at a high point in population. While Thailand comprising of the lowest citizens, this percantage ratio remained same till 2040.
Looking at it in detail, in 1970, just above 30% of people lived in Philippines. Following it, Malaysia comprising about 30% of citizens, then around 20% of population residing in Thailand and the least with only 15% of the total lived in Indonesia.
Over the time, changes were observed in this proportion with Malaysia reaching the peak with 70% of the citizens, following it Indonesia and Philippines were the country with almost same about 40% of total population. In contrast, people residing in Thailand were just 30% of the total. The prediction of future shows, Malaysia holding 80% of the total,
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 student attempts to cover the main trends in the line graph, providing an overview and mentioning starting points and predictions. However, there are significant factual inaccuracies in reading the data. For instance, the student states that in 1970 the Philippines had the maximum population and Indonesia the least, but misinterprets the percentages by writing that 'Malaysia comprising about 30% of citizens' and 'Philippines' had 'just above 30%', whereas Malaysia was actually 30% and Philippines 32%. Furthermore, the description of later years is imprecise and cuts off abruptly at the end ('The prediction of future shows, Malaysia holding 80% of the total,'). The overview mentions 'increasing trend' but misinterprets absolute population figures versus urban population percentages. Consequently, the task is addressed only partially, warranting a band score of 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is divided into paragraphs, including an introduction, an overall statement, and detail paragraphs. However, logical progression is hindered by confusing sentence structures and repetitive phrasing such as 'Over the time'. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, and referencing is frequently unclear, such as 'While Thailand comprising of the lowest citizens, this percantage ratio remained same till 2040.' Paragraphing is attempted, but the final paragraph is incomplete, breaking off mid-sentence. Overall, the arrangement shows some organizational awareness but lacks clear overall progression and control of cohesion, leading to a band score of 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student uses a limited range of vocabulary with frequent errors in word choice, form, and collocation. Examples include 'future interpretation' instead of 'predictions', 'comprising of' instead of 'comprising' or 'accounting for', and 'percantage ratio'. The word 'citizens' is used repeatedly where 'population' or 'percentage' is more appropriate. Spelling errors such as 'percantage' also occur. While the vocabulary is adequate to convey a basic outline of the graph, the numerous inaccuracies and awkward collocations restrict the score to a band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response displays a very limited range of sentence structures, relying heavily on simple clauses and dangling modifiers, such as 'Following it, Malaysia comprising about 30% of citizens...' Attempts at complex structures often result in ungrammatical fragments or missing verbs, as seen in 'While Thailand comprising of the lowest citizens...' and the incomplete final sentence 'The prediction of future shows, Malaysia holding 80% of the total,'. Frequent grammatical errors cause some difficulty for the reader, though the core meaning can generally be inferred. This aligns with the band 5 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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