Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-20

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 5.5)

The line graph illustrates the proportion of total population of four Asian countries living in the cities and predicts the surge in trend for future.

Overall, the graph demostrates constant increase in the population living in the cities, in four countries including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Philippines across 8 decades. In 1970s, 31% of total the population of Philippines lived in the cities, largest number among all countries, which is predicted to become 52% by 2040. Whereas, Indonesia recorded least proportion of people living in the cities in the first decade, at 13% only, which is expected to become 60% by 2040.

Generally, all countries showed contant increase in cities' population, except Philippines whose residents in the cities increased fairly but showed vivid decrease from 1990 to 2010. In 1980s all countries recorded increase in citizenry between 15% to 40%, Malaysia showed 10% increase in one decade. Until 2020, Malaysia's cities became most populace, hodling 73% of total the population, Indonesia being a runner-up, recorded 50% population living in cities. While, In Philippines citizenry reduced to 45% in comparison of 1990 where percentage was 49%. Only 29% of Indonesians moved to cities, until 2020.

Moreover, all countries are predicted to have more people in the cities in coming decades. Malaysia staying at top, is predicted to reach to 81% by 2040, Philippines at 52% only and Thailand is expected to accommodate 46% of its people in cities. Whereas, Indonesia, which stayed at last number until 2000, would have 60% of its population moves to cities by 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student attempts to address all parts of the task by covering the four countries and the time span from 1970 to 2040. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, outlining the general upward trend. However, there are several inaccuracies in the data reporting. For instance, the student states that in the 1970s, 31% of the population of the Philippines lived in cities, which is close to the chart data (32%), but later claims Indonesia's population in cities is expected to reach '60% by 2040' (the chart shows around 64%) and mentions Malaysia reaching 81% when the chart indicates 83.5% by 2040. Furthermore, some data points for 2020 are misread (e.g., stating Malaysia's figure was 73% and Indonesia's was 50% rather than 76% and 52%). Despite these inaccuracies, the main trends are captured, placing this in Band 6.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs focusing on specific data and predictions. However, the logical progression is occasionally hindered by confusing transitions and unclear referencing. For example, starting the third paragraph with 'Generally, all countries showed contant increase...' contradicts the subsequent exception noted for the Philippines. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'moreover', and 'until' are used, but sometimes mechanically or awkwardly, such as 'While, In Philippines citizenry reduced...'. Paragraphing is present, but internal cohesion within paragraphs lacks smooth flow, resulting in a Band 6 performance.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully using terms such as 'proportion', 'surge', 'predictions', and 'runner-up'. However, there are several noticeable lexical errors, awkward word choices, and typos throughout the text, such as 'demostrates' instead of 'demonstrates', 'contant' instead of 'constant', 'citizenry' used to mean urban population/percentage, and 'populace' used as an adjective ('most populace'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they restrict the lexical score to Band 5.5 or 6.0. Given the frequency of word-choice inaccuracies, a score of 5.5 is appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'predicated to become 52% by 2040', 'Malaysia staying at top, is predicted to reach...'). However, grammatical errors are frequent and occasionally affect clarity. Examples include missing articles ('in cities', 'at last number'), comma splices and punctuation issues, and awkward phrasing such as 'Indonesia, which stayed at last number until 2000, would have 60% of its population moves to cities by 2040' (tense shift). Because errors persist across both simple and complex structures and sometimes cause minor strain for the reader, the grammar performance aligns with Band 5.5.

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