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)
The given chart depicts the percentage of population in cities of four Asian countries.It also give prediction of 2030 and 2040.
The population of Indonesia started to increase slowly from 12 percent to 25 in 1970 to 2000 and reaches to its climax on about 62 percent in 2040 .
In Thailand the Population started to increase from 18 percent with slowly increase upto 30 percent in 2020 ,with sudden increase to about 48 percent in 2040.
In Philippines the Population started to increase from 31 percent in 1970 with increase to about 48 percent in 1990 with decline to about 42 percent in 2010 and again wih an increase in about 52 percent in 2040.
In Malaysia, Population started to increase with 30 percent in 1970 which slows down in 1990 to 40 percent and again an increase is observed to 80 percent 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 response attempts to cover the main trends for all four countries, but it suffers from several issues. First, the text fails to reach the 150-word minimum, clocking in at 146 words, which incurs a penalty. Furthermore, there is no overview provided, which is a key requirement for Task 1 to achieve Band 6 or higher. The student also misreads several data points (e.g., stating Indonesia started at 12 percent when the graph shows 14 percent). While individual country data points are mentioned, the lack of an overarching summary and the under-length nature of the response limit this criterion to a Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is organized into a brief introduction followed by individual body paragraphs for each country. However, there is no clear overall progression or overview statement linking the data together. Cohesive devices are minimal and repetitive, relying heavily on basic time phrases like 'started to increase' and 'in 2040'. Paragraphing is attempted by giving each country its own paragraph, but the lack of an introductory overview and the mechanical sequencing of data points place this response firmly in the Band 5.0 range.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is rather basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'started to increase' and 'sudden increase' are used multiple times throughout the text. There are also noticeable lexical errors and awkward collocations, such as 'reaches to its climax on about 62 percent' and 'with slowly increase'. Less common vocabulary is virtually absent. The range is minimally adequate to convey basic information, but word choice inaccuracies and repetition restrict the score to a Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writer attempts some complex structures, but these are often faulty or awkward, such as 'The population of Indonesia started to increase slowly from 12 percent to 25 in 1970 to 2000 and reaches to its climax on about 62 percent in 2040.' There are frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('It also give prediction'), preposition errors ('in 1970 to 2000'), and missing articles. Punctuation errors, such as missing spaces before periods, are also present. The frequent errors cause some difficulty for the reader, fitting the Band 5.0 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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