Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The trend in graph illustrates the population of four Asian countries in percentages who are living in urban areas from 1970 to 2020. The graph also anticipates the future for 2030 and 2040.
The timeline is given on x axis from 1970 to 2024 and the percentage is shown on y axis upto 90%. The four countries are Phillipines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesian with Malaysia population been the maximum in cities till 2040. It's population has shown the maximum trend after 1990. Indonesia represents the maximum trend after Malaysia with its population rising drastically onwards 2000.
The population of Thailand moving slowly towards urban areas. however, the majority of the population is now diverting towards city side after 2020 and can be expected that it will increase from 2030 to 2040. The phillipines is somehow changing the trend with time. Their population was maximum in 1990 in cities and then it dropped down.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response addresses the task only partially. While the writer attempts to give an overview of the graph showing urban population percentages from 1970 to 2040, the selection of data is incomplete and contains inaccuracies. For instance, the text states that the timeline goes 'from 1970 to 2024' (whereas the chart shows 2020 and predictions to 2040), and refers to 'Indonesian' instead of Indonesia. Furthermore, key trends are only vaguely described without adequate support from the figures, and some comparisons are difficult to follow, such as the description of the Philippines' fluctuations. To reach a higher band, the response would need to select and report the main features and clear comparisons more accurately across all countries without misrepresenting the visual data.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
There is some basic organization with an introduction and body paragraphs, but the response lacks a clear overall progression. Paragraphing is attempted, but ideas within the body paragraphs jump between countries rather than being logically sequenced. Cohesive devices are minimal and sometimes inaccurate or repetitive, such as the repetitive use of 'maximum trend' or 'after 1990/2000'. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, leaving the reader to guess which country's data is being discussed. To improve cohesion, the writer should ensure a logical flow of ideas, use paragraphing more effectively to group related data points, and employ a wider range of cohesive devices smoothly to connect sentences and comparisons.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The lexical range used is limited and barely adequate for the task. There are noticeable errors in word choice, word form, and spelling, such as 'Phillipines' (misspelled), 'Indonesian' (used as a country name instead of Indonesia), and awkward collocations like 'maximum trend'. Phrases like 'diverting towards city side' and 'changing the trend with time' lack precision. These lexical inaccuracies and limited vocabulary choices occasionally cause some difficulty for the reader. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to incorporate a wider and more precise range of vocabulary related to data trends, ensure correct word forms and spelling, and use more natural phrasing for describing graphical information.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response shows a limited range of grammatical structures, relying mostly on simple sentences with occasional attempts at complex forms that are often faulty. There are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that can cause difficulty for the reader, including missing articles ('on x axis'), incorrect prepositions ('on y axis upto 90%'), and subject-verb agreement errors ('Malaysia population been the maximum', 'It's population has shown'). Punctuation and sentence boundary issues are also present, such as the comma splice and fragment in 'The population of Thailand moving slowly towards urban areas. however...'. To improve, the writer should practice forming complex sentences accurately, pay closer attention to verb tenses for data analysis, and fix recurring errors with prepositions and articles.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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