Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-26

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)

This graph illustates the proportion of the population in four Asian nation living in urban area between 1970 and 2020. also given 2030 and 2040 with predictions.

Overall, malaysia was recorded highest in four countires. Although Thialand was second lowest in 1970, after 2000 it was least population lived in city.

In 1970 Malaysia 30% population lived in urban area and it significantly increas in evry year till 2040. On the other hand In 1970 Phillippines lived in city, at aound 31 % but greducaly increse and also decrease till 2010 after 2010 it will increase to 2040.

In 1970 Thailand population was less preferr to live in city, at around 19% but after this number is continuously increas an at the end of year 2040 the,at around 48% while Indonesian population had least preffer to lived in city in 1970, at around 14%, after 1970 it was rapidly increas and in 2040 it was stood at second postion around 60% Indonesian population prefferd to live in urban area.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student attempts to address the task by reporting on the urbanisation trends for the four countries between 1970 and 2040. However, the overview contains factual inaccuracies and confusion regarding which country was highest (Malaysia is stated as highest, but the overview then confuses Thailand as having the least population living in cities). Furthermore, data referencing is imprecise or contains errors, such as misidentifying starting and ending points or trends (e.g., stating Thailand was second lowest in 1970 when Indonesia was actually lower at 14%). Ideas are under-developed due to frequent confusion and incomplete comparisons. This falls under Band 5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response is divided into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs, showing an attempt at logical organisation. However, the overall progression is heavily disrupted by poor referencing and unclear cohesive ties, such as 'also given 2030 and 2040 with predictions' and abrupt transitions between sentences. Paragraphing is present, but internal cohesion is faulty and mechanical, with repetitive use of basic connectors or missing links, leading to confusion. This aligns with Band 5 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, with frequent word choice and spelling errors (e.g., 'illustates', 'nation', 'countires', 'Thialand', 'greducaly', 'increse'). There are attempts to use topic-related terms like 'proportion', 'urban area', and 'population', but inaccuracies in collocation and form (e.g., 'least population lived in city', 'less preferr to live') restrict the range. The lexical errors occasionally cause difficulty for the reader, placing it firmly at Band 4.5, rounded to 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0

The student attempts some complex structures, but these are frequently faulty. There is a heavy presence of grammatical errors, including missing verbs, incorrect prepositions, tense confusion (mixing past and future inappropriately), and fragment sentences (e.g., 'also given 2030 and 2040 with predictions' and 'In 1970 Phillippines lived in city'). Simple sentences also contain structural errors. These frequent errors cause difficulty for the reader and reflect Band 4 territory.

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