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 representaion elucidates data about the proportion of the residents in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the illustration clearly indicates that four Asian countries are participating including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines. The country on the top of the list is expected to be Malaysia while second position will be secured by Indonesia in upcoming decades. Also, third place and fourth position for percentage of total population would be secured by Philippines and Thailand.

Initially, Malaysia accounted for just 30% at the very beginning of period while at the the end it is expected to reach almost 82%. While on the other hand, second on the list is another muslim country Indonesia which started from only 13% and ended with 62%.

Lastly, the third on the list for net amount of percentage of residents was Philippines with starting of 31% and ending with 54%. Furthermore, 4th and last position was obtained by country named as Thailand often known as the land of different genders. It started with only 19% and is expected to be end with approximately 49% of the net

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to address the task by outlining general trends and rankings across the four countries. However, the selection of data is somewhat erratic and fails to clearly report the main features or make meaningful comparisons throughout the period. For instance, the overview lacks a clear summary of overall trends, instead describing future rankings in a colloquial manner. Furthermore, the figures cited contain inaccuracies compared to the visual data, such as claiming Indonesia started at 13% when the data shows 14%, and stating that Malaysia will reach 82% at the end (the transcription shows 83.5%). The response also trails off abruptly at the end ('approximately 49% of the net'). This meets the criteria for Band 5, as the task is addressed only partially, with limited and underdeveloped data reporting.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The text is divided into four paragraphs, providing a basic structural layout (introduction, overview, and body paragraphs). However, the progression of ideas is hindered by repetitive and awkward phrasing, such as 'second on the list', 'third on the list', and '4th and last position'. Cohesive devices are used mechanically and sometimes inaccurately, like 'While on the other hand' used inappropriately to introduce a second point without a true contrast. Paragraphing is present, but the overall organization lacks logical flow and smooth transitions between the body paragraphs. These issues place the response firmly in Band 5, as there is some organization but no clear, sustained progression.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for basic communication but lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band. The student attempts some less common vocabulary ('elucidates', 'proportion', 'predictions'), but these are offset by awkward word choices and colloquial or irrelevant additions, such as describing Thailand as 'often known as the land of different genders', which is both inappropriate for an Academic Task 1 response and factually unsupported by the prompt. Spelling and word formation errors also appear, such as 'representaion'. The lexical range is limited and minimally adequate, fitting the Band 5 descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but attempts at complex sentences frequently result in errors. Examples include awkward phrasing like 'The country on the top of the list is expected to be Malaysia while second position will be secured by Indonesia in upcoming decades' (missing articles and awkward coordination) and dangling modifiers such as 'It started with only 19% and is expected to be end with approximately 49%'. Grammatical errors and awkward prepositions are frequent and occasionally cause difficulty for the reader, though they do not completely obscure the meaning. This performance aligns with Band 5.

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.