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 compares that how the population in Asian countries (Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia) changed from 1970 to 2020, and also shares the predictions on it for next two decades (2020 - 2040).

Overall, the population had increased noticeably in every nation and expected to climb at the same pace in the future also.

However, It had witnessed a sudden dip in Philippines before reaching its peak.

In 1970, the population was exactly 30% in Malaysia, and it rose steadily by 10% in 1990. Moreover, it had a sharp rise of approximately 35% till 2020, and reached approximately 75%. It is expected that the population will increase in the future by 5% till 2040. In 1970, just 12% people of Indonesia had residents in cities. Furthermore, the number increased slowly to 30% in 2000. There had been a significant rise of 20% till 2020 and expected to cross 55% in the following years (2040).

In 1970, slightly below 20% of individuals were living in Thailand, and the percentage rose steadily till 1990 and reached nearly 30. Although, It did not account any major change till 2020, but will go up in the future by 15%. While the figures levelled off at 30% in Philippines in the first 10 years, it rose dramatically by 20% till 1990. However, it had a dropped to 40% in 2010, but started going up in the following years. Furthermore, it is anticipated that it would be above 50% till 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The candidate has attempted to cover all four countries and the timeline provided in the visual data. The overview mentions that urbanisation increased in every nation, though the prediction part is slightly vague ('expected to climb at the same pace'). Key features, such as Malaysia's steep rise to high percentages and the fluctuations in the Philippines, are identified. However, there are some minor data inaccuracies when reporting specific numbers (for instance, stating Malaysia was exactly 30% in 1970 when the data says 30, but misreporting other intermediate figures or phrasing like 'just 12% people of Indonesia had residents in cities' versus the actual 14%). Despite minor statistical slips, all countries and timeframes are addressed, earning a solid Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organised into multiple paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing specific country data. Cohesive devices are used to link ideas (e.g., 'Moreover', 'Furthermore', 'However'), though some transitions feel a bit mechanical or are used abruptly, such as starting the final paragraph with 'Although, It did not account any major change'. Paragraphing is generally logical by grouping countries, but the division between body paragraphs could be structured more cleanly to clearly separate past trends from future predictions. Referencing is mostly clear, resulting in a Band 6.0 for this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, attempting less common items such as 'linear representation', 'predictions', 'noticeably', and 'anticipated'. However, there are noticeable lexical inaccuracies and awkward word choices, such as 'had residents in cities' instead of living in urban areas, and 'did not account any major change' instead of accounted for or underwent. Spelling is generally accurate, but some collocations are unnatural. Because the vocabulary is adequate to convey the core message despite these imprecise choices, a Band 6.0 is appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional or future clauses like 'It is expected that the population will increase'. However, grammatical errors occur throughout the text, such as 'compares that how' in the opening sentence, incorrect tense usage in 'It had witnessed a sudden dip', and punctuation issues like capitalising 'It' mid-sentence ('However, It had witnessed'). While these errors do not severely impede overall communication, their frequency prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Control over complex grammar is inconsistent, warranting a Band 5.5.

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