Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The line graph shows the information about the ratio of the population in four different Asian countries staying in 1970 to 2020 and also with predictions for 2030 and 2040 .

Overall, the maximum percentage of total population in terms of living in cities was witnessed by Malaysia whereas the minimum ratio of population in terms of urban citizens was done by Thailand.

To begin with, initially in 1970 Malaysian population was 30% of total population who live in cities, after a decade it witnessed a slightly upward trend with 40% of population. Further, it showed a rapid increase in urban population from 1980 to 2020 which holds the 70% of the population was live in larger cities as after 20 years from 2020 Malaysia will reach its zenith point in terms of population. Its peak point will be 80% in 2040.

Probing further, in 1970 the least percentage of population who live in cities was witnessed by Indonesia, after a decade it showed a gradually increase in urban settlement was almost 80%. Furthermore, Indonesia population observed a two intersection points in terms of population one in 2000 and later in 2010 after a decade in 2020 after a decade in 2020 it reached at 50% of total population who lived in cities and looking forward to next 20 years predictions it will become the 2nd maximum public country in terms of urban people.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response addresses the task only partially, presenting a very limited overview and focusing primarily on Malaysia and Indonesia while omitting key details for the Philippines and Thailand. The overview provided in the second paragraph is underdeveloped and lacks sufficient clarity regarding the main trends across the four countries. Furthermore, there are significant misinterpretations of the data, such as claiming Indonesia's urban population reached 'almost 80%' after a decade, which does not align with the visual data provided. To achieve a higher band, the response must cover all parts of the task more thoroughly, provide a clearer overview of the main features, and ensure that data points and comparisons are accurately reported without major distortions or omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response demonstrates some organization through the use of paragraphs and basic transition signals such as 'To begin with' and 'Probing further'. However, there is no clear overall progression, and the logical flow is disrupted by run-on sentences and confusing chronological sequences, particularly in the final paragraph regarding intersection points and future predictions. Cohesive devices are frequently repetitive or inaccurate, and referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult to follow the relationships between ideas. To improve, the writer should structure paragraphs logically around distinct countries or time periods, use a wider variety of cohesive devices more accurately, and avoid overly long, convoluted sentences that obscure the progression of information.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is limited and minimally adequate for the task. The student attempts some less common vocabulary items, such as 'zenith point' and 'intersection points', but these are often accompanied by noticeable errors in word choice, collocation, and word form, such as 'maximum public country' or 'gradually increase' instead of 'gradual increase'. Additionally, there is heavy repetition of basic phrases like 'percentage of population who live in cities' and 'total population'. These noticeable lexical errors and limitations occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. To reach a higher level, the writer needs to expand their range of vocabulary, use less common lexical items with greater precision, and pay closer attention to natural collocations and word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response employs a very limited range of sentence structures, relying mostly on simple or faulty complex sentences. Attempts at complex clauses frequently result in grammatical errors, such as missing verbs or ungrammatical relative clauses like 'population who live in cities was witnessed by Indonesia, after a decade it showed a gradually increase'. There are frequent errors in verb forms, tense consistency, prepositions, and punctuation, including run-on sentences with comma splices. These frequent errors cause considerable difficulty for the reader in places. To improve, the writer needs to demonstrate a greater variety of grammatical structures, maintain strict control over tense usage when describing past trends and future predictions, and ensure that sentences are punctuated correctly to avoid run-on structures.

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