Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The line graph illustrates the percentage of urban population in four Asian countries—Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand—from 1970 to 2020, with projections up to 2040. Overall, all countries show an upward trend, though with varying patterns and rates of growth. Malaysia consistently had the highest proportion, rising sharply from 30% in 1970 to 76% in 2020, and is expected to reach 83% by 2040. In contrast, the Philippines experienced a similar increase until 1990 (from 32% to 49%), after which it declined to 42% in 2010 before recovering to 45% in 2020, with a predicted rise to 56% in 2040. Indonesia and Thailand started at lower levels (14% and 18% respectively in 1970). Indonesia’s urban population grew steadily, overtaking Thailand in 2010 and reaching 52% in 2020, while Thailand remained stable at around 30% from 1990 to 2020. By 2040, Indonesia is projected to hit 64%, whereas Thailand is expected to reach only 50%, the lowest among the four. Overall, while Malaysia and Indonesia are set to have the highest urbanization rates, the Philippines and Thailand will lag behind, with Thailand showing the slowest growth.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student fully addresses all parts of the task by providing a well-developed summary of the line graph, covering all four countries across the given time frame. The main features are clearly identified, such as Malaysia's dominance and growth trajectory, the Philippines' fluctuation, Indonesia's steady rise, and Thailand's more stable pattern. Accurate figures and comparative data are incorporated effectively throughout the text, including specific start and end points as well as projections for 2030 and 2040. An appropriate overview is present both at the beginning and integrated into the concluding remarks, satisfying all requirements of the Band 8 descriptor for this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is logically sequenced and easy to follow. Ideas are well-organized into a coherent whole, beginning with an introductory sentence and moving smoothly through individual country trends and comparisons. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'while', 'whereas', and 'after which' are used naturally to link contrasting and sequential ideas without being overly mechanical. Paragraphing is used sufficiently, although grouping the text into a traditional four-paragraph structure with a distinct overview paragraph could enhance overall visual clarity. Nonetheless, the flow of information is smooth and supports clear progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to academic report writing, successfully employing terms like 'upward trend', 'projections', 'proportion', 'fluctuating', and 'urbanization rates'. Less common lexical items are used with general awareness of style and collocation (e.g., 'rising sharply', 'overtaking Thailand'). There are only occasional minor lapses, but word choice is generally precise and aids in communicating the data effectively. Communication is never impeded, placing the performance securely within the Band 7 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The student utilizes a good variety of complex sentence structures, combining relative clauses, participial phrases, and dependent clauses (e.g., 'Malaysia consistently had the highest proportion, rising sharply from...'). There is a high frequency of error-free sentences, and grammatical control over tense usage—shifting smoothly from past data to future projections—is strong. Punctuation and sentence boundaries are handled well. The rare minor imperfections do not impede understanding at all, demonstrating excellent control that warrants a high band score.

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