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 about the proportion of the population in four different countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 ans 2040.

Overall, it is evident that the Malaysia accounted for the highest percentage, while Indonesia's population also will take a sharp rise. Initially, the percentage of theThailand and Philippines was lowest, however it will also increase in future.

As it can be seen in the line graph that the percentage of Malaysia's population is significantly high. In 1970, it started from 20 and it will increase approximately 80. In contrast, the population of the Indonesia was significantly low at 15% in 1970 but it took a sharp rise after 2000 and will reach at 60%.

In addition, the proportion of population in the Thailand was at 20% in 1970 and it reached up-to 25 in 1990 and again stablizied till 2010. In 2040, the percentage will be at 40. Similarly, Philippines's population wildly fluctuated in till 1990 and in 2020, its population also will increase.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response attempts to summarize the main trends from the line graph, providing an overview and selecting some data points, such as Malaysia starting around 20 and increasing to about 80, or Indonesia's figure at 15% in 1970. However, the overview contains factual inaccuracies and sweeping statements, such as claiming that the Philippines and Thailand started at the lowest point collectively, and misinterpreting data points like Malaysia's starting value which was actually around 30%. Furthermore, some trends are under-developed or vague, such as stating that the population 'wildly fluctuated' or will 'increase in future' without giving precise final projections. The response addresses the task only partially due to these inaccuracies and lack of fully developed comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a clear attempt to structure the information into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. Paragraphing is used to separate different countries and time periods. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical or faulty, as seen in repetitive transitional phrases like 'In addition' and 'Similarly'. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, such as when pronouns or generalized phrases like 'the population' are used instead of precise subjects. While the logical organization is generally visible, the progression between sentences lacks seamless flow, placing the response firmly at the level where cohesive devices are used somewhat mechanically.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, attempting less common items such as 'proportion', 'predictions', 'fluctuated', and 'stablizied'. However, there are noticeable lexical errors, including word form issues and misspellings like 'ans' instead of 'and' and 'stablizied'. Word choices are sometimes imprecise or unnatural, such as 'take a sharp rise' or 'wildly fluctuated in till 1990'. While communication is not severely impeded, these frequent inaccuracies in word choice and spelling prevent the response from achieving a higher lexical band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writing displays a limited range of sentence structures, relying heavily on simple sentences and basic compound structures. Attempts at complex sentences are frequently faulty, leading to awkward phrasing and grammatical errors. There are frequent issues with prepositions and tense consistency, particularly when mixing past data with future predictions, as seen in 'population also will increase' and 'reached up-to 25 in 1990 and again stablizied'. Articles are also frequently misused or omitted, such as 'the Malaysia' and 'in the Thailand'. These frequent errors in grammar and punctuation can cause occasional difficulty for the reader.

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