Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-23
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 number of indiviuals living in four different countaries of Asia in different percentages, over the time period of fifty years. Additionally it shows the analysis of the population percentages by 2030 to 20240.
Overall, the population of all four countaries is rising steadily, whereas, the population of Malaysia and Indonesia increased markedly across the period as compared to Philippines and Thailand, which overall reached to 50% and 40% of the combined total population.
The population of Malaysia and Indonesia stood at 30% and 10% in 1970 and it went up throughout the period. The population of Malaysia rise from 40% in 1990 to approximately 90% in 2040. Indonesia's poppulation follows a similar trend and reaches to almost 60% at the end of the period.
An upward trend also notice in the population of Phillipines and Thailand. At the beginning of the period the poplation of these countaries stood at around 30% and almost 20%. The population of Phillipenes fluctuated in the time period from 1970 to 2010, after it, the pattern shifted noticeably. The percentage of individuals rose substantially from roughly 40% in 2010 to 50% in 2040. Whereas, the population of Thailiand also went up consistently throughout the time period reaching to almost 40% in 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 covers all parts of the task well, providing an overview and selecting key features and trends for all four countries from 1970 to 2040. The main trends—such as the marked upward trajectory of Malaysia and Indonesia compared to the more gradual increases in the Philippines and Thailand—are clearly reported. However, there are some minor data inaccuracies and awkward generalisations; for instance, stating that the Philippines and Thailand overall reached '50% and 40% of the combined total population' misinterprets the percentage of urban population as a share of a combined total, and the mention of predictions spanning '2030 to 20240' contains a typographical error in the year. Nevertheless, the main features are adequately highlighted, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introductory paraphrase and overview, followed by body paragraphs grouping the countries by similar trends (Malaysia and Indonesia, followed by the Philippines and Thailand). Cohesive devices are generally used to guide the reader, such as 'Overall', 'Whereas', and 'At the beginning of the period'. However, referencing and transitions are sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'after it, the pattern shifted noticeably'. Paragraphing is present and helps structure the response, but overall progression could be smoother. This corresponds to a Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, attempting some less common lexical items such as 'substantially', 'fluctuated', and 'upward trend'. However, there are numerous spelling mistakes throughout the text, including 'indiviuals', 'countaries' (multiple times), 'poppulation', 'notice' (used instead of noticed), 'Phillipines' and 'Thailiand'. These spelling errors and occasional awkward word choices indicate limitations in lexical control, capping the score at Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and time markers. There are, however, several grammatical errors and awkward structures, such as 'the population of Malaysia rise' (tense error), 'An upward trend also notice' (passive voice error), and punctuation/run-on issues like commas separating clauses incorrectly. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the response from reaching Band 6.0. Therefore, a Band 5.5 is appropriate.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.