Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · 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 4.0)

The line graph illustrates the population in four Asian countres Philippines,Malaysia,Thailand and Indonesia living in cities between 1970 to 2020 and show withe prediction for 2030 to 2040.

overall, it is clear that malaysia population percentage high recent now ,while the predictions feture increasing population malaysia. Another noticeable feature is that in four country lowest population recent and feautre thailand .

Looking first in Malaysia and Indonesi in 1970 to 2000 population approximately 30 percent and around 15 percentage. After that Malaysia increased 1970 to 2000 around 75 percentage and Indonesia around 65 parcentage .

Turning to in the feautre popultion in 2030 between 2040 Malaysia higest than Indonesua

90 and 65 percentage . and Lowest Thilend and philippines . philippines 1970 increasing and agin 2010 dramatic down percentage and 2030 and 2040 agin some incresed .thiland continusly increased .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response attempts to cover the main trends in the line graph, noting general increases across countries such as Malaysia and Thailand, and mentioning specific end points or time frames. However, the task achievement is heavily compromised because the word count falls short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 140 words. Furthermore, several data points and comparisons are inaccurate or confused (e.g., misreporting the percentages for Malaysia and Indonesia, and stating that Thailand and the Philippines are the lowest in 2030 and 2040 when Thailand reaches nearly 50%). The overview is disjointed and fails to clearly present the main overarching trends, pulling the score down to Band 4.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The response is divided into paragraphs, which provides a basic structure, but logical progression and cohesion are severely impaired. Transitions between sentences and paragraphs feel disjointed (e.g., 'Looking first in Malaysia and Indonesi in 1970 to 2000...'). Referencing is often unclear, and cohesive devices are either misused or absent. The overall arrangement attempts to address the data systematically, but the lack of clear logical links and faulty paragraphing creates a confusing read for the examiner, aligning best with Band 4.0 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.0

The student uses basic and repetitive vocabulary throughout the text (e.g., 'population', 'percentage', 'increased', 'lowest'). There are frequent spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'countres', 'withe', 'feture', 'feautre', 'higest', 'Thilend', and 'agin'. Less common vocabulary is attempted awkwardly or incorrectly (e.g., 'dramatic down percentage'). The limited range and recurrent lexical errors strain the reader's comprehension, placing the response firmly at Band 4.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0

Grammatical range is extremely limited, relying heavily on fragmented phrases and simple listings rather than fully formed, well-structured sentences (e.g., 'overall, it is clear that malaysia population percentage high recent now'). There are frequent errors in verb tenses, prepositions, articles, and word order (e.g., 'Looking first in Malaysia and Indonesi', 'Malaysia higest than Indonesua'). Complex structures are rarely attempted, and when they are, they contain severe grammatical errors that frequently obscure the intended meaning. This corresponds to Band 4.0.

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