Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The line graph illustrates information about the percentage of the population in different cities of four asian countries from 1970 to 2020, With the prediction for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, Malaysia and Indonesia were on hit list during all time period including predictions. While Thailand gradually increased it population and Philippine followed fluctuated trend.
In 1970 Philippines had 31 % in population which was peak position and it climed up to 48% in 1990 then it had trembling trend and it was on 52 % in prediction years.
Malysia started from 29% in first year and then it moved speedily during all over the time period it remained on the peak point till 2040.
Thailand was on 18% in 1970 and it smoothly rose to 52% in 2020 and then also upward trend in future years.
Indonesia started by 13 % in 1970,then it followed slow trend in next 3 years and it reached on 28% and then it sharply increased and hit 50% in 2029 and also on second position in predicted years.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The student attempts to cover the main trends in the line graph, including the overall trajectories of the four countries and specific data points. However, there are significant inaccuracies in data reporting. For instance, the student states that in 1970 the Philippines had 31% and reached 52% in prediction years, whereas the actual data shows 32% rising to 55.5% by 2040. Furthermore, descriptions of Malaysia and Indonesia contain factual discrepancies against the visual data, such as claiming Indonesia hit 50% in '2029' (not on the chart) and misrepresenting the starting values. While an overview is attempted, the numerous data misreadings and slightly confusing phrasing limit the score to a Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is structured into an introduction, an overview paragraph, and individual body paragraphs for each country. Paragraphing is attempted, but the logical progression is hindered by confusing transitions and erratic data sequencing. Cohesive devices are basic and sometimes misused, such as 'While Thailand gradually increased it population and Philippine followed fluctuated trend.' Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the mechanical transitions do not flow smoothly. However, an overall structure is visible, which satisfies the requirements for a Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student uses a limited vocabulary range appropriate for simple descriptions, alongside several awkward lexical choices and spelling errors (e.g., 'asian', 'climed', 'trembling trend', 'Malysia', 'fluctuated trend'). Phrases like 'on hit list' are unnatural and inappropriate for an academic task. While there are some attempts at less common vocabulary such as 'prediction' and 'fluctuated', inaccurate word choices and frequent spelling or morphological errors impede clarity and restrict the lexical score to a Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The text displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but attempts at complex structures are frequently faulty. There are multiple grammatical and punctuation errors throughout the response, including missing articles, incorrect prepositions, and tense confusion (e.g., mixing past descriptions with future predictions incorrectly). Examples include 'increased it population' and 'started by 13 % in 1970,then it followed slow trend'. These frequent errors cause some difficulty for the reader, aligning the grammar with a Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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