Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The given line graph reveals information about the percentage of the population in four nations ( Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia) living in cities between 1970 and 2020.
Overall, Malaysia and Indonesia showed an upward trend, while the Philippines fluctuated throughout the period. By contrast, the population living in Thailand recorded the lowest level at the end of the period.
Upon closer inspection, the figure for Malaysia had a significant gap compared to other countries; initially, it started below 30, and subsequently it slightly increased from 1970 to 1980, nearly to 40, it then slightly dropped and dramatically rose through the end of the period in 2040 about 80, which was the highest figure in this period. Although, Indonesia peaked consistently, Philippines, there was a significant change between 1990 to 2010 by 10% decrease.
In contrast, Thailand started of the population living in 1970 was approximately to 19, there was a minimal increase from 1980 to 2020, afterwards it then considerably climbed at the end of the period.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to address the task by selecting key trends for the four countries, mentioning that Malaysia and Indonesia showed upward trends while the Philippines fluctuated and Thailand remained the lowest. However, the overview is slightly inaccurate as Thailand actually finishes higher than the Philippines in 2040 (49.5% vs 55.5% — wait, 55.5 is higher, but the student states Thailand recorded the lowest level at the end, which is correct). There are inaccuracies in data reporting; for example, the student states Malaysia started below 30 and reached about 80 in 2040 (correct is 30 and 83.5), but the sentence structure and awkward phrasings make the data reporting difficult to follow. Furthermore, some comparisons and trends are underdeveloped or confused, such as the confusing clause 'Although, Indonesia peaked consistently, Philippines, there was a significant change'. Overall, the response meets the general requirements of summarising the chart, but lacks precision and clear comparative development.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The text is divided into logical paragraphs with an introduction, an overall statement, and body paragraphs focusing on different countries. However, the progression within sentences and paragraphs is frequently disrupted by awkward syntax and run-on sentences. For instance, the sentence starting with 'initially, it started below 30, and subsequently it slightly increased...' strings multiple clauses together awkwardly. Cohesive devices are basic or misused ('Although, Indonesia peaked consistently, Philippines...'). Paragraphing is attempted, but internal cohesion is weak, leading to a mechanical and sometimes confusing flow of information.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally basic and repetitive, relying heavily on terms like 'percentage', 'population', 'countries', 'increased', and 'dropped'. There are attempts at less common vocabulary ('significant gap', 'dramatically rose', 'considerably climbed'), but these are often coupled with inaccurate collocation or awkward phrasing, such as 'peaked consistently' or 'started of the population living in 1970 was approximately to 19'. Word choice errors and imprecise expressions are noticeable throughout, though they do not completely impede overall understanding. Spelling is generally accurate, but lexical range and control remain limited.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but attempts at complex structures are frequently faulty. There are major issues with run-on sentences, comma splices, and incomplete grammatical structures. For example, 'Although, Indonesia peaked consistently, Philippines, there was a significant change between 1990 to 2010 by 10% decrease' lacks a main verb and proper clausal connection. Another example is 'Thailand started of the population living in 1970 was approximately to 19', which contains severe grammatical errors. Frequent errors in prepositions and clause coordination cause difficulty for the reader.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.