Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-30

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 line grapgh illustrates the data about the proportion of the residants living in cities of four Asian countries from 1970 to 2020 and also give the future perdicyion for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, Malaysia had faced upward trend throughout the period. While, in Indonesia the population witnessed the flactuation and Thailand had a lowest number of polpulation.

In 1970, Malaysia was contributed 30% of poplulation and slightly grwe at 47% in 1990. After it number of residence continuously rose at 81% rougly till 2040. Similarly, in 1970, Indonesia had lowest population about 14% but it increased over the period and peaked at 61% approximately in 2040.

However, the popultaion of Phillpine started with 31% in 1970 and 32% in 1980. In Addition, it gradually increased about 49% till 1990 than fell to 43% at 2010, accounted from 43% to 58% till 2040. Moreover, Thailand had the lowest popultaion among all the country, started from 19% in 1970 and showed the flacution till 2020 rougly 30% than peaked at 48% approximately from 2020 to 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.0
Coherence and Cohesion5.0
Lexical Resource4.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student attempts to cover all four countries and the overall time frame from 1970 to 2040. However, there are numerous inaccuracies in the reported figures and data points (for instance, stating Malaysia was contributed 30% of poplulation in 1970 and grwe at 47% in 1990, whereas the chart shows 45.5%). While an overview is attempted, it contains contradictions and misinterpretations of the trends, such as stating Thailand had the lowest population when the chart indicates Indonesia started at 14% in 1970. Key features are selected, but the imprecise data reporting and flawed synthesis prevent the response from achieving a higher band. It satisfies the basic requirements of the task but suffers from factual inaccuracies drawn from the visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response is divided into logical paragraphs, starting with an introduction, followed by an overview, and subsequent body paragraphs detailing the countries. However, the progression within paragraphs is disjointed due to awkward cohesive devices and mechanical linking (e.g., 'After it number of residence', 'However, the popultaion of Phillpine'). Referencing is sometimes unclear, and the use of cohesive markers feels forced rather than natural. Paragraphing is present, but overall internal cohesion needs significant improvement to ensure a smooth, logical flow of ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The lexical range is limited and severely impacted by frequent spelling errors and word-formation issues. Examples include 'grapgh', 'residants', 'perdicyion', 'flactuation', 'polpulation', 'grwe', and 'Phillpine'. While the student attempts some less common vocabulary related to data trends, the high density of spelling and lexical inaccuracies causes strain for the reader and impedes clear communication in several places. Basic vocabulary is used adequately, but control over precise word choice is lacking.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but grammatical control is weak throughout the text. There are frequent errors in verb tenses, voice, and preposition usage, such as 'Malaysia was contributed' instead of 'contributed', 'accounted from 43% to 58%', and missing articles. Punctuation is also erratic. These frequent errors disrupt the flow and occasionally obscure the intended meaning, placing the response firmly in the band 5 category for grammar.

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