Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-19

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 6.0)

The linear representation illustrates the information related to the percentage of the population in Asian countries (Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia) living in cities from 1970 to 2020 and predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, it is witnessed that the population had increased in every city and was expected to climb in future also. Moreover, data is given in the form of the percentage. The population of the Indonesia and Malaysia increased significantly.

In 1970, just 30% people of Malaysia were living in cities and it rose steadily by 10% till 1990. Moreover, it had a sharp rise of 35% till 2020 and it reached approximately 75%. It is expected that the population will increase in future by 5% till 2040. In 1970, just 12% people of Indonesia had lived in cities. Furthermore, number increased slowly by 20% till 2000. it had a significant rise of 20% till 2020 and expected that number will cross 55% till 2040. In 1970, just 10% individuals were living in cities and number rose steadily till 1990 and reached approximately 30%. It levelled off till 2020 but expected increase in future by 15%. Till 1980 just 30% people had lived in cities of Philippines and number rose dramatically by 20% till 1990. It had a steady drop of 10% till 2010 and remained approximately same in 2020. It is predicted that it will rise by 10% till 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student covers all four countries and provides data for both the past and future predictions. However, there are notable inaccuracies in reading the data from the graph. For instance, the student states that in 1970 just 12% of people in Indonesia lived in cities, whereas the chart shows 14%, and claims Malaysia reached approximately 75% in 2020 when it was actually 76%. Furthermore, some data points are vague or confused between countries. The overview mentions that population had increased in every 'city' rather than country, showing a minor limitation in task response. The response successfully highlights overall trends, but the presence of factual inaccuracies when reporting specific figures pulls the score down to Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response has an overall logical arrangement, beginning with an introduction, an overview paragraph, and a body section detailing the trends. However, the paragraphing is poor, as all four country descriptions are crammed into a single massive block of text, making it difficult to read and process. Cohesive devices are used, but sometimes mechanically or awkwardly, such as repetitive transitions like 'In 1970... Moreover... In 1970...'. Reference words and progression between sentences are at times unclear, which impacts the overall flow. These issues place the response firmly in Band 5.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common phrases such as 'linear representation', 'sharp rise', and 'levelled off'. However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice and phrasing, such as referring to countries as 'cities' ('increased in every city') and awkward prepositions or collocations ('people of Indonesia had lived'). Spelling is generally correct, but limitations in precision and lexical control prevent the response from achieving a higher band. This performance aligns well with Band 6.0 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including future predictions ('It is expected that the population will increase') and past time references. However, there are frequent errors in grammar, tense choice, and punctuation. For example, mixing past simple and past perfect incorrectly ('had lived'), missing articles ('number increased slowly'), and punctuation slips ('It. it had a significant rise'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur regularly enough to prevent the response from reaching Band 6.0, making a 5.5 a fair assessment.

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