Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-28
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 line graph tracks the information about percentage of the urbanization in four different Asian cities and the time period was 1970 to 2020. In addition, they also give predictions after 2 decades of 2020.
To begin with, the Philippines and the Malaysian cities population was 31 and 30 percent respectively and both increased over the period of time. In addition, the Philippines cities population was dramatically decreased in 1990. However, the Malaysian city population jumped up after 1990, but after two decades it reached around 72%. While the Philippines cities reported continuous downfall until 2010. Additionally, it will be predicted that the Malaysian cities reached 80% in 2040 and the Philipines cities population will increase almost 50% in the final year.
Furthermore, Thailand and Indonasia cities population was very close in 1970. Afterwards, it rose significantly and both cities' population were the same in 2000, which was around 20%.In the following years, the Indonasian cities population increased rapidly. Nevertheless, the Thailand's city population was increased gradually. Lastly, it will be predicted that the Indonasian cities reached almost 60% and the Thailand cities reached 50% in 2040.
Overall, it is clearly seen that the Philippine cities reported first position in the initial year, but after two decades the Malaysian cities population overtook the Philippines cities population. Meanwhile, Thai cities observed greater population in the initial year. In contrast, the Indonesian cities were increased rapidly after a few years.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student covers all four countries and the overall time frame from 1970 to 2040, providing an overview in the concluding paragraph. However, there are significant inaccuracies in data reading and reporting. For example, the student states that the Philippines population 'dramatically decreased in 1990' and experienced 'continuous downfall until 2010', whereas the graph shows an increase from 1970 (32%) to 1990 (48%), followed by minor fluctuations. Furthermore, referring to the countries as 'cities' throughout the response demonstrates a misunderstanding of the task data, which represents national percentages rather than individual urban centers. The overview identifies some broad trends, but overall task completion is hampered by factual inaccuracies regarding the chart's data points.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay is divided into four paragraphs, including an introduction, two body paragraphs, and an overview/conclusion, which establishes a basic structure. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Furthermore', and 'Overall' are used to guide the reader through the text. However, logical progression is occasionally disrupted by confusing referencing and inaccurate data reporting. Additionally, the misuse of cohesive links and pronouns occasionally makes the relationships between ideas unclear. Paragraphing is present and logically divided by country groupings, but internal cohesion requires better control.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally basic and repetitive, with frequent reliance on simple terms like 'increased', 'decreased', and 'population'. A major lexical flaw is the persistent reference to countries as 'cities' (e.g., 'the Philippines and the Malaysian cities population'). There are also spelling and word-form errors, such as 'Indonasia' and 'Indonasian'. While the writer attempts some less common vocabulary such as 'dramatically' and 'gradually', inaccurate word choices and misapplication of terms limit the lexical score to the Band 5 level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing structures like 'while' clauses and future predictions ('it will be predicted that...'). However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors in tense usage, subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'cities population was very close', 'both cities population were the same'), and passive/active voice confusions. Prepositional and article errors are also noticeable. These frequent errors occasionally cause confusion for the reader, though the core meaning can generally be deciphered.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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