Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-24
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 the proportion of total population in four different cities Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia from 1970 to 2020 with projection for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, all four cities begin with lower malaysia show the highest number of population increase, while remaining three countries are eqaul at the end of the period.
In 1970, malaysia population started lower around 30% after slightly increased nearby 40% in 1980. subsquently it gradually rose to approximetly 45% population in 1990 and sharply growing around 60% in 2000. After it significantly reach at his peak position 80% in 2030 and 81% in 2040. Thailand beginning with 20% in 1970 and gradually rose to 30% in 1990. it show slightly drop nearly 29% in 2010, after steaditly reach at top 45% in 2040.
Philippines started with 31% in 1970, after rapidly rose nearly 49% by 1990 and it faces slightly declined of 42% during 2010. After this it gradually rose at top 55% in 2040. Indonesia begin lower 13% in 1970 and dramatially climbed approximetely 50% by 2020 and 60% in 2040.
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 address the task by reporting data for the four countries from 1970 to 2040. However, there are several inaccuracies in reading the data from the chart, such as misidentifying the countries as 'cities' in the introduction and misstating several starting and ending percentages (e.g., Malaysia starting at 30% but described as 'lower around 30% after slightly increased nearby 40%'). The overview is somewhat confused, claiming that 'all four countries begin with lower malaysia show the highest number of population increase, while remaining three countries are eqaul at the end of the period,' which does not accurately reflect the graph's trajectories where final percentages diverge (ranging from roughly 50% to 83.5%). The response covers the main features superficially, but the frequent data misinterpretations and lack of a clear, coherent overall trend placement restrict the score to a Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is divided into paragraphs, which helps establish a basic structure for the introduction, overview, and body details. However, logical progression is frequently hindered by abrupt transitions and confusing sentence construction, such as 'In 1970, malaysia population started lower around 30% after slightly increased nearby 40% in 1980. subsquently it gradually rose...' Cohesive devices are either missing or misused, leading to a mechanical and disjointed feel. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of data lacks clear thematic or chronological partitioning between countries. Overall, the organizational structure meets the criteria for Band 5.0 due to repetitive patterns and unclear referencing.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, frequently relying on simple verbs like 'rose', 'started', and 'begin'. There are notable lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as calling countries 'cities' in the opening sentence, and phrases like 'significantly reach at his peak position' or 'dramatially climbed approximetely'. Less common lexical items are attempted but often used with incorrect collocation or grammatical forms (e.g., 'subsquently', 'steaditly'). The range is minimally adequate to convey basic trends, but spelling errors and word-formation issues place this firmly at a Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but these attempts are frequently marred by major grammatical errors. There is a high frequency of tense and clause-structure errors, such as missing auxiliary verbs, incorrect prepositions, and fragmented clauses (e.g., 'Thailand beginning with 20% in 1970 and gradually rose...' and 'Philippines started with 31% in 1970, after rapidly rose nearly 49%...'). Punctuation and capitalization are also inconsistent, with lowercase letters starting sentences ('subsquently', 'it show'). These frequent errors cause difficulty for the reader and reflect a Band 5.0 level of grammatical control.
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