Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The line graph presents the proportion of citizens of the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia residing in cities between 1970 and 2020, at 10-year intervals, and also contains a forecast for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the percentage of inhabitants living in cities has grown over time in all countries, and the predictions also state an increase in the future. Philippines had the greatest number of residents in cities during the year 1970, followed by Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. However, the trend suggests that Malaysia continued to lead the statistics from 1990, and will also lead in the future. Thailand had the lowest proportion of individuals living in cities from 2000, and the trend will continue.

Focusing on Malaysia, it had 30% of residents in cities; with steady growth, it became just around 45% in 1990, and then a dramatic growth can be observed, reaching 75% in 2020. The prediction states that it will be above 80% in 2040. Philippines, on the other hand, despite being the first in 1970 (a little more than 30%), had a lower growth rate than Malaysia; it peaked at just below 50% in 1990, and then started to fall to approximately 40% in 2010, before growing again to about 45% in 2020. The forecast shows it will continue to proliferate to above 50% in 2040, keeping the third position.

Thailand had just below 20% of inhabitants in cities in 1970, and the growth was steady up to 2020 (nearly 30%), with a prediction of around 45% in 2040. Indonesia, in contrast, had the lowest proportion. It crossed the Philippines in 2010, moving to the second position. It then rose considerably higher than the other two countries except Malaysia, becoming more or less 50% in 2020, and will become just above 60% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear overview and effectively reporting the main trends and data points for all four countries. The selection of data is accurate, such as noting Malaysia's rapid climb and Indonesia's overtaking of the Philippines by 2010. However, there is a minor error in the overview where the student states that the Philippines had the greatest number of residents in cities in 1970 (the graph shows Malaysia slightly lower initially, though both are around 30% and close together). Overall, the information is well selected and reported, fulfilling the requirements for Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organised with a clear progression throughout. An introduction is followed by an overview paragraph, after which individual country trends are grouped logically in the body paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used appropriately, such as 'Overall', 'Focusing on Malaysia', 'on the other hand', and 'in contrast'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and effectively to separate the overview and the detailed body points. Referencing between sentences and pronouns is generally clear, resulting in a smooth reading experience.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to academic report writing, successfully employing terms like 'proportion', 'inhabitants', 'dramatic growth', 'proliferation', and 'forecast'. There is good awareness of collocations and style. Occasional inaccuracies appear, such as using 'proliferate' for population percentages (which usually applies more to cells, bacteria, or rapid multiplication), but this does not impede communication. The lexical range easily satisfies the requirements for a Band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The writer employs a good variety of complex structures alongside simple forms, such as participle clauses ('despite being the first in 1970') and subordinate time clauses. The majority of sentences are error-free, and control of grammar and punctuation is strong. Minor errors are rare and do not impede the reader, such as the missing article in 'Philippines had the greatest number...' (should be 'The Philippines'). The grammatical control and range solidly support a Band 7.5 rating.

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