Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-29
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 7.5)
The graph illustrates the percentage of people living in cities in four Asian countries between 1970 and 2020, with projections for 2030 and 2040.**
Overall, urban populations increased in all four countries over the period. Malaysia experienced the most significant and consistent growth and is expected to remain the most urbanised country by 2040. In contrast, the Philippines showed some fluctuations, while Thailand recorded the slowest growth.
To begin with, around 30% of the population in both Malaysia and the Philippines lived in cities in 1970. Malaysia then experienced a steady rise throughout the period, reaching about 75% in 2020, and it is predicted to increase further to approximately 80% by 2040. The Philippines, however, rose from about 30% to nearly 50% in 1990 before declining slightly. After 2010, the figure increased again and is expected to exceed 55% by 2040.
Meanwhile, Indonesia had the lowest urban population in 1970, at less than 20%. However, it grew rapidly after 2000 and is forecast to reach around 60% by 2040. Thailand showed the slowest increase, remaining relatively stable until the 1990s before rising gradually. It is predicted to reach about 50% by the end of the period.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing a clear summary of the main trends and making relevant comparisons across the four countries. An appropriate overview is included at the beginning, highlighting key trends such as Malaysia's consistent growth and Thailand's slower trajectory. Data points from the visual reference are accurately reported, such as Malaysia reaching around 75% in 2020 and Indonesia growing rapidly after 2000. The information is well-selected, and the comparisons between countries are logical and clearly tied to the provided graph, fully meeting the requirements for a Band 7.5 or 8.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response is logically organised with a clear overall progression. The information is well-divided into paragraphs, starting with an introduction and overview, followed by logical body paragraphs grouping the countries effectively (Malaysia and the Philippines in one, Indonesia and Thailand in another). Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'To begin with', and 'Meanwhile' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the data, demonstrating a clear logical structure throughout.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms such as 'projections', 'fluctuations', 'urbanised', and 'rapidly'. There is good control of less common lexical items related to data reporting (e.g., 'steady rise', 'declining slightly', 'remain relatively stable'). Word choices and collocations are generally accurate, allowing the information to be conveyed with precision, easily meeting Band 7 expectations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as participial phrases and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Malaysia then experienced a steady rise throughout the period, reaching about 75% in 2020, and it is predicted to increase further...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and grammatical control is strong throughout. Minor punctuation issues like the stray asterisks at the end of the first paragraph do not detract from the overall high quality of grammatical accuracy, which aligns well with a Band 8 descriptor.
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