Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-27

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 given graph describes information about the percentage of population in Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia over a fifty year period, from 1970 to 2020 along with the predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, all four Asian countries followed an upward trajectory. However, Malaysia had the highest population percentage in fifty years, and is predicted to have increasing percentage in further years. All other three countries had minor fluctuations, but will follow an upward trend.

Malaysia had 30% residents in 1970 reaching 60% in 2000, followed by 70% and 75% in 2010 and 2020 respectively. In 2030, population may slightly increase to 80% with a gradual increase in 2040. Philippines had slightly higher population percentage in contrast to Malaysia in 1970 increasing to nearly 50% in 1990, followed by a slight dip in 2000. The percentage levelled off to 45% in 2020 and will continue to increase in future.

Indonesia had the lowest individual percentage of 12% in 1970, which continued to increase, and reached its peak in 2010, the population equal to that of Philippines. In 2020, the population surpassed Philippines reaching 50% and will increase in next twenty years. Finally, Thailand had 27% population living there in 1990, following a steady increase the next thirty years. However, the citizens percentage will increase from 2030 to 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student covers all four countries and spans the entire timeframe requested in the prompt, successfully identifying main features such as Malaysia's dominance and the general upward trend across all nations. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in the reported data; for example, the student claims the Philippines had a 'slightly higher population percentage in contrast to Malaysia in 1970', whereas the data shows Malaysia at 30% and the Philippines at 32% (very close, but Malaysia was actually slightly lower initially, though the Philippines was higher for a period) and Indonesia's starting figure is stated as 12% rather than the actual 14%. Furthermore, the overview mentions minor fluctuations for all three other countries, but Malaysia also experienced growth rather than fluctuation. Despite these minor data slips, the response presents a clear overview and addresses the main trends well, aligning with Band 6.5 to 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is organized into four distinct paragraphs, following a logical structure with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing the data. Cohesive devices are used adequately to guide the reader through the figures (e.g., 'Overall', 'However', 'followed by', 'Finally'). However, paragraphing and referencing can occasionally feel slightly disjointed, and the logical progression within the body paragraphs occasionally groups ideas a bit mechanically. For instance, the transition between discussing Malaysia and the Philippines in the third paragraph is somewhat abrupt. Overall cohesion is clear and the arrangement is coherent, fitting the Band 6 descriptors comfortably.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common phrases such as 'upward trajectory', 'levelled off', and 'surpassed'. There are, however, some noticeable lexical inaccuracies and awkward word choices, such as 'increasing percentage in further years' instead of 'in future years' or 'subsequent years', and 'citizens percentage' instead of 'urban population percentage'. Spelling is generally accurate, but some phrasing sounds unnatural or repetitive. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the message clearly, but it falls short of the precision required for higher bands, making Band 6 appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with moderate success. Examples of complex structures include subordinate clauses like 'while the predictions for 2030 and 2040 indicate...' and participial phrases. There are, however, several grammatical errors and awkward prepositions, such as 'percentage of population in Philippines' (missing articles) and 'population equal to that of Philippines'. There are also minor tense inconsistencies and missing words (e.g., 'population may slightly increase to 80% with a gradual increase in 2040'). These errors do not impede communication, but they occur with enough frequency to prevent the essay from reaching Band 7.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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