Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-22
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 percentage of the population in four distinct Asian countries over the period from 1970 to 2020 and a projection for the years 2030 and 2040.
Overall, it is evident that from 1970 to 2020, the proportion of the population in all countries has experienced a dramatic increase. The population percentages in the Philippines and Thailand represent an upward trend with slight volatility. Moreover, the predicted percentage reflects a gradual increase.
For Indonesia and Thailand, both countries' populations started from nearly the same range, around 14% and 19%, respectively in 1970. Until 2000, both countries population was at about 20%. After that Indonesian population increased significantly, surpassing Thailand and reaching roughly 50% in 2020.
The predicted proportion for the following country is under three-fifths.
Regarding the Philippines and Malaysia, starting percentage was about same at 31% and 30%. The Philippines represents volatility from 1970 to 2010 afterthat a steady increase with the projected population it will reach at nearly half.The notable increase in the population percentage is in Malaysia a considerable rise to 70% in 2020 and forecasted to a even increase over the last one decade, reaching just around 80%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers all parts of the task well, selecting and reporting main features and making relevant comparisons. The student provides a clear overview stating that urbanization increased across all four countries from 1970 to 2020. Key trends are highlighted, such as Malaysia's steep rise to become the most urbanized country and Indonesia's rapid growth after 2000. However, there are minor inaccuracies in data reporting; for instance, Indonesia started around 14% rather than '19%', and some descriptions of future projections are slightly vague or incomplete (e.g., 'The predicted proportion for the following country is under three-fifths'). Nevertheless, the main features and overall trends are adequately addressed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized logically with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introduction and overview paragraph, followed by body paragraphs grouping the countries (Indonesia and Thailand, then the Philippines and Malaysia). Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as 'Regarding the Philippines and Malaysia' and 'After that'. However, paragraphing is somewhat irregular and ideas within paragraphs could be linked more smoothly. Referencing is occasionally unclear, as seen in phrases like 'The predicted proportion for the following country', which lacks precise context. Overall, cohesion is functional but occasionally mechanical.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'proportion', 'volatility', 'surpassing', and 'projected population'. However, there are notable limitations and inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'starting percentage was about same' (missing article), 'afterthat a steady increase' (spacing error), and 'forecasted to a even increase over the last one decade'. While these errors do not seriously impede communication, they restrict the lexical score to a solid 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over structure. There are instances of effective complex clauses, such as 'The line graph illustrates the percentage of the population... over the period from 1970 to 2020 and a projection...'. However, the text contains frequent grammatical errors and punctuation lapses, including missing prepositions ('reaching just around 80%'), run-on clauses ('with the projected population it will reach at nearly half.The notable increase'), and awkward phrasing ('forecasted to a even increase'). These errors occasionally cause the reader hesitation, aligning the response with Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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