Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-02
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 line graph illustrates data on the percentages of people living in cities across four different Asian countries, namely the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia from 1970 to 2020, with projections for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, all four contries recorded the substantial growth in the percentage increase, despite the phillipines which demonstrated some fluctuations. Malaysia showed the most rapid increase in population and predictions also represent the same, whereas the phillipines saw the gradual increase.
Looking at the population of Malaysia, which started off at 30% increased gradually till 1990 before rising significantly at 75% in 2020 and will climb up to approximately just over 80% by 2040. In contrast, the population changes in Indonesia depicted roughly the same pattern, with almost 13% residents initially, rose gradually up to 28% in next three decades before showing a substantial increase at 51% in 2020, and likely to experience just above 60% by the end of the period.
The Phillipines accounted for just over 30% residents in 1970, which remained the same for the next decade before rising to 50% in 1990. The population percentage then decreased at nearly 40% in 2010 before recovering to 45%. which is further predicted to increase to almost 50%. In addition, the urban population of Indonesia represented an upward trend from 19% residents in 1970 to 45% in 2040, despite some gradual increase from 1990 to 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response attempts to cover the main features of the line graph regarding urban population percentages in four Asian countries from 1970 to 2040. However, the task is only partially addressed because the content contains several factual inaccuracies and confusions regarding the countries' data. For instance, the text claims the urban population of Indonesia rose gradually up to 28% and reached 51% in 2020, whereas the graph indicates Indonesia started around 14% and reached 52%. Furthermore, the final paragraph confuses Indonesia and the Philippines, mixing up data points. While an overview is attempted in the second paragraph, it contains mechanical generalisations ('despite the phillipines which demonstrated some fluctuations') and lacks precision. Key features and comparisons are under-developed or misreported, keeping the score at this level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay displays some overall organisation with an introductory paragraph, an overview, and body paragraphs dedicated to specific countries. However, there is no clear logical progression throughout, and referencing is occasionally faulty, particularly in the concluding paragraph where the distinction between countries becomes confused. Cohesive devices are used, but they are sometimes mechanical or inaccurate, such as using 'In contrast' or 'In addition' where the logical relationship between sentences is weak or incorrect. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal flow of ideas lacks seamless connection, resulting in a somewhat disjointed structure that prevents the response from achieving a higher score.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items and descriptive phrases such as 'substantial growth', 'rapid increase', 'upward trend', and 'projections'. However, there are noticeable spelling and word-choice errors, such as lowercase country names ('contries', 'phillipines'), and slight inaccuracies in collocation or phrasing, such as 'percentage increase' instead of 'percentage of the population'. Despite these slips, the vocabulary used is sufficient to communicate the general meaning, allowing the reader to follow the intended topic without severe impediment.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including relative clauses and introductory time markers ('Looking at the population of Malaysia...'). However, there is a limited range of structures successfully controlled, and attempts at complex sentences often contain grammatical errors. Frequent issues include missing articles, incorrect prepositions ('at 75%' instead of 'to 75%'), faulty verb tense application in data reporting, and punctuation errors, such as sentence fragments (e.g., '...recovering to 45%. which is further predicted...'). These errors occur frequently enough to cause occasional difficulty for the reader, though they rarely obscure the overall meaning entirely.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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