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 illustration shows the data about the percentage of the residents in four asian nations residing in cities from 197 to 2020, which gives predictions for the years 2030 and 2040.
Overall, the percentage of all countries increased from 2030 to 20240 which indicates higher predictions. The Philippines and Thailand showed average fluctuations throughout the years. Comparatively, the other two countries, Malaysia and Indonesia, showed drastic increases in the number of citizens per year.
Even though Indonesia started at the lowest point of residents, which was around 10% in the year 1970, it remained under 20% up until 1990. After that, it increased by around 10% every year and is predicted to reach around 60% in the year 2040. Malaysia started at exactly 30% and increased dramatically over the years, with an estimated total percentage of citizens in 2040 of more than 80%.
Philippines started at a little above 30% and remained the same in 1980 before a major increase in 1990 to around 50%, and after that it declined for about two years, after which it again experienced an increase in years 2020, 2030 and 2040. Thailand on the other experience same fluctuations starting at above 10% and through that increasing population uo until 1990 before encountring steady path of arounf below 30% up until2020 and from then incrasing to arounf40% in year 2040.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student attempts to cover the main trends and features of the four countries over the given period. However, there are significant factual inaccuracies in the data reporting, such as stating that Indonesia started at 'around 10% in the year 1970' (it was 14%) and confusing dates in the overview ('2030 to 20240'). Furthermore, some of the descriptions of trends, particularly for the Philippines and Thailand, are somewhat vague and confused regarding specific years. While an overview is attempted, these data misreadings and minor omissions pull the response down into the Band 5.5 range.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is divided into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for different countries. However, the progression within paragraphs is sometimes hindered by imprecise referencing and awkward phrasing (e.g., 'On the other experience same fluctuations'). Cohesive devices are used, but their management is occasionally mechanical or faulty. Paragraphing is attempted appropriately, but overall cohesion lacks the flexibility required for a higher band. This performance best aligns with Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common terms such as 'fluctuations', 'drastic increases', and 'declined'. However, there are notable spelling errors and typos throughout the text (e.g., 'asian' with a lower-case 'a', '20240', 'encountring', 'arounf', 'incrasing', 'uo'). Word choices are sometimes imprecise or unnatural, such as 'number of citizens per year' instead of 'urban population percentage'. These errors occasionally cause minor strain for the reader, placing the lexical score at a solid Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, using subordinating clauses ('Even though Indonesia started...', 'Philippines started at...'). However, the text contains frequent grammatical and mechanical errors, including missing prepositions, incorrect verb forms ('is predicted to reach', 'experianced same fluctuations'), and punctuation lapses. While communication is not severely impeded and the meaning remains mostly clear, the high frequency of errors prevents the response from achieving a Band 6.0, fitting more comfortably at Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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