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 information about the percentage of urbanization in four different Asian cities over the period was 1970 to 2020. In addition, it also give predictions two decades after 2020.

To begin with, the Philippines and the Malaysian city's population was 31 and 30 percent respectively and both increased over the period. In addition, the Philippines city's population decreased dramatically in 1990. However, the Malaysian city population jumped after 1990; however, after two decades it reached around 72%. While the Philippines city reported continuous downfall until 2010, additionally, it will be predicted that the Malaysian cities reached 80% in 2040 and the Philippines cities population will increase almost 50% in the final year.

Furthermore, Thailand and Indonesia cities' population were very close in 1970. Afterwards, it rose significantly and both cities' population was the same in 2000, which was around 20%. In the following years, the Indonesian cities population increased rapidly. Nevertheless, the Thailand city population increased gradually. Lastly, it will be predicted that the Indonesian cities reached almost 60% and the Thailand cities reached 50% in 2040.

Overall, it is clearly seen that the Philippine cities held the first position in the initial year, but after two decades the Malaysian cities' population overtook the Philippines cities' population. Meanwhile, Thai cities had a greater population in the initial year. In contrast, the Indonesian cities increased rapidly after a few years.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student attempts to address the task by summarizing the main trends in the provided line graph for the four countries. An overview is attempted in the final paragraph, noting general positions and overtaking trends. However, there are significant data interpretation errors and confusions throughout the text. For instance, the student refers to the countries as 'cities' (e.g., 'the Philippines and the Malaysian city's population'), misreads starting values (e.g., stating Philippines and Malaysia were 31 and 30 percent in 1970 when the graph shows 32 and 30), and misstates trends, such as claiming the Philippines experienced a continuous downfall until 2010 when the graph shows fluctuations. Furthermore, the overview mentions Thai cities had a greater population in the initial year, which contradicts the graph where Thailand is the second lowest at 18 percent. These inaccuracies pull the task achievement down into Band 5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The essay is organized into four paragraphs, including an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a concluding overview. There is a logical progression attempted, moving from the introduction to specific country groupings. However, cohesive devices are frequently used mechanically or inappropriately, such as excessive reliance on transition phrases like 'To begin with,' 'In addition,' 'Furthermore,' and 'Nevertheless.' Paragraphing is discernible, but the internal logical flow within paragraphs is hindered by confusing references and inaccurate data comparisons. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, such as shifting between singular and plural references for countries and their populations. Overall, the organizational structure meets the criteria for Band 5, showing some overall arrangement but inadequate or repetitive cohesive devices.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The student demonstrates a limited but minimally adequate range of vocabulary for the task, incorporating terms like 'urbanization,' 'predictions,' 'dramatically,' 'gradually,' and 'overtook.' However, there is a recurring lexical error in treating countries as cities (e.g., 'the Philippines and the Malaysian city's population'). There are also awkward word choices and phrasing, such as 'continuous downfall' instead of a downward trend, and 'it will be predicted' instead of 'it is predicted.' Word formation and collocation errors are noticeable, though they do not completely impede communication. Because the vocabulary range is restricted and contains frequent inaccuracies in word choice, a Band 5.0 is appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing subordinating clauses such as 'While the Philippines city reported continuous downfall...' and relative clauses. However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors in tense consistency, subject-verb agreement, and voice. Examples include 'the period was 1970 to 2020' (tense mismatch), 'it also give predictions' (subject-verb agreement), and 'it will be predicted that the Malaysian cities reached 80%' (incorrect tense for future projections). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the frequency of grammatical errors causes some difficulty for the reader and prevents the response from achieving a higher band.

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