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 illustrate about the proportion of Asian countries population living in urban areas, namely the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia from 1970 and 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, it is evident Malaysia's population has the highest percentage, whereas the Philippine was lowest, while Thailand continually increased but Indonesia gradually reached.
It can be seen that the percentage of Malaysia was 30% in 1970 after that it increased in 1990 by 45% and jumped throughtout 2040 by 80%.Meanwhile the population of philippin's 30% in 1970 and also fluctuated in 2010 and steadily stable in 50% by 2030.
Additionally, Thailand's ratio was 20% in 1970 and it was enhanced from 1990 to 2030, while over the period the Indonesia proportion was lowest as 15% in 1970
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5
The response fails to meet the minimum word length requirement of 150 words, containing only 129 words, which negatively impacts the task achievement score. While the student attempts to cover the main countries and general trends from the chart, the information is selective and contains several factual inaccuracies. For example, the student claims Malaysia had the highest percentage throughout, which is partially true for later years, but misstates that 'the Philippine was lowest' (Indonesia started lower at 14% in 1970). Furthermore, some data points are inaccurate or poorly communicated, such as stating Malaysia jumped to 80% through 2040 (it reaches 83.5% with 2030 at 81%) and describing the Philippines as being 'steadily stable in 50% by 2030'. An overall trend is provided, but data support is weak and incomplete.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is divided into four short paragraphs, representing an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. However, the logical progression is hindered by poor paragraphing choices and abrupt transitions. Cohesive devices are used mechanically or incorrectly, such as 'after that', 'Meanwhile', and 'Additionally'. Referencing is also faulty, as seen in unclear pronoun or subject links like 'while over the period the Indonesia proportion was lowest'. Overall, the arrangement feels disjointed and fails to guide the reader smoothly through the comparative data.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The lexical range is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms such as 'percentage', 'population', 'increase', and 'proportion'. There are numerous word choice and collocation errors, such as 'The line graph illustrate about', 'gradually reached', 'philippin\'s', and 'it was enhanced'. Spelling errors like 'philippin\'s' and 'throughtout' further detract from the quality. While the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate basic topics related to the graph, it lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher band scores.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentences, but grammatical control is weak. There are frequent errors in subject-verb agreement and tense usage, such as 'The line graph illustrate' instead of 'illustrates', and mixing past and future projections incorrectly. Punctuation and sentence structures are often faulty, leading to run-on or fragmented expressions like 'while Thailand continually increased but Indonesia gradually reached' and 'the population of philippin\'s 30% in 1970 and also fluctuated'. These frequent errors occasionally impede communication.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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