Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-01

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 6.0)

The given line graph compares the percentage of people from the total population living in cities of four Asian countries, namely Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia from 1970 to 2020, with future predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the population of Malaysia shows a substantial increase so far, and is predicted to have the highest population. Whereas the percentages for the Philippines population can be seen fluctuating, with a low future prediction. The population of Indonesia also increased significantly.

The percentage of total population living in Malaysia was 30 percent in 1970, which rose sharply to 75 percent in 2020. It is predicted to be more than 80 percent in future. On the other hand, the percentages for the Philippines fluctuated with time. It started from 31 percent in 1970, reaching to 50 percent in 1990. Than decreased to 45 percent in 2020. Future predictions are roughly 56 percent.

Indonesian population shows a graduall increase. Started from 12 percent in 1970 and rose to 52 percent in 2020. It is predicted to to more then 60 percent in 2040. Thailand shows a steady trend, with the 19 percent population in 1970 and increased to 30 percent in 2020. It is predicted to be 50 percent in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by selecting and reporting the main features of the line graph, providing an overall summary and making relevant comparisons across the four countries. The overview successfully highlights the major trends, noting Malaysia's substantial growth and the fluctuations in the Philippines. However, some ideas are under-developed or contain slight inaccuracies when compared to the visual data. For instance, the overview incorrectly states that Malaysia is predicted to have the highest population overall (when Malaysia and others follow distinct urbanisation trajectories), and the summary of Thailand's endpoint states it is predicted to reach 50 percent in 2040, whereas the graph indicates approximately 49.5 percent. While the key features are generally outlined, closer precision in reporting data points and tighter integration of the overview would elevate this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The text maintains a coherent overall arrangement and follows a logical progression, moving from an introduction and overview into dedicated body paragraphs for individual countries. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to structure the response clearly. However, cohesion is sometimes faulty or mechanical. For example, the transitional phrase 'On the other hand' is used where a simple contrast or continuation might be more natural, and the referencing of data across sentences occasionally feels disjointed, such as in the abrupt shift into discussing Indonesia and Thailand. Furthermore, referencing can be repetitive, relying heavily on basic sentence subjects rather than sophisticated cohesive links between clauses.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying basic trends and data points with terms like 'substantial increase', 'fluctuated', and 'steady trend'. The student attempts some less common vocabulary, such as 'graduall' (though misspelled) and 'predictions', but there are noticeable errors in word form and spelling that detract from precision. Examples include spelling errors like 'graduall' instead of 'gradual', and slight inaccuracies in collocation or word choice, such as referring to 'the population of Malaysia' instead of 'the percentage of the population living in cities'. These minor lexical slips do not impede communication, allowing the reader to follow the argument, but they prevent the response from achieving a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating introductory dependent clauses and relative structures such as 'which rose sharply to 75 percent in 2020'. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, including preposition usage and article omission, such as 'Started from 12 percent' (missing subject/auxiliary) and 'It is predicted to to more then 60 percent' (typographical duplication 'to to' and misspelling 'then' instead of 'than'). Additionally, sentence fragments like 'Than decreased to 45 percent' display poor control over clause linking. Despite these errors, the grammatical structures used are generally functional and rarely impede overall communication.

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