Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The line chart illustrate data about the proportion of residents in cities in four Asian countries between 1970 and 2020, along with the forecast for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the graph shows that in the beginning how close Thailand and Indonesia were and how they had a steady increase, like wise how close Philippines and Malaysia were and how the percentage fluctuated. The rapid increase in percentage for both Malaysia and Indonesia is also represented.

In 1970, Philippines started at top just above 30 percent while Malaysia wasn't that far off at 30 percent. Malaysia rose sharply to 40 percent and crossed Philippines in between 1970 and 1980. They both fluctuated and changed places between 1980 and 1990 and also from 1990 to 2000 in which Malaysia's parentage soared and Philippines started to dip. Indonesia and Thailand both had a steady increase till 2000 when they had the same 30 percent living in cities.

After 2000, Indonesia's percentage rose rapidly till 2020 while Thailand remained stable. Malaysia showed constant growth and in 2020 more than 70 percent of its population live in cities. However the percentage dip for Philippines was from 1990 to 2010 after which it showed an increase but in that year Indonesia overtook it and became the second highest proportion of people living in cities. The prediction for 2030 and 2040 is that Thailand will have the most increase while Philippines and Malaysia will have a smaller increase.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing an overview and selecting key features and comparisons for the four countries from 1970 to 2040. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, outlining general trends such as the steady increases in Thailand and Indonesia alongside the fluctuations in the Philippines and Malaysia. However, some parts of the response are more fully developed than others; for instance, the description of the trends in the middle years becomes slightly cluttered with mechanical data references, and some comparisons are under-developed or vague, such as the claim that Thailand will have the 'most increase' in the predictions. To reach a higher level, the writer should ensure that all main trends are highlighted with greater clarity and precision throughout the body paragraphs, avoiding overly conversational phrasing in the overview.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The text maintains a coherent overall arrangement and is divided into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by an overview, and then breaking down the data chronologically. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'In 1970', 'After 2000', and 'However', which help guide the reader through the information. However, cohesion is sometimes faulty or mechanical, and referencing is not always completely clear. For example, expressions like 'like wise how close Philippines and Malaysia were' and the transition 'in that year Indonesia overtook it' feel slightly disjointed. Additionally, the overall progression within the second and third paragraphs could be smoother. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to employ a wider and more flexible variety of cohesive devices while ensuring that paragraph links and pronoun references are handled with greater precision.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The response demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common lexical items such as 'proportion', 'forecast', 'fluctuated', and 'soared'. Communication is not impeded by the occasional errors in word choice, form, or spelling—such as writing 'parentage' instead of 'percentage', using 'dip for Philippines' as a noun phrase rather than a verb, and the informal phrasing 'started at top'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main trends, the control over less common vocabulary lacks consistency. To move up to the next band, the writer should incorporate a wider variety of precise academic collocations and ensure absolute accuracy in word forms, avoiding informal or imprecise expressions when describing statistical data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writing displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and time markers successfully in places, such as 'which Malaysia's parentage soared' and 'after which it showed an increase'. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, but they rarely impede communication. Examples include missing articles ('in the beginning how close Thailand and Indonesia were'), minor prepositional issues, and tense inconsistencies when shifting between past data and future predictions, such as 'live in cities' instead of 'lived'. The range of structures is somewhat limited, and attempts at complex sentences occasionally result in clumsy phrasing. To reach the next band, the writer must demonstrate greater control over complex sentence patterns, maintain consistent verb tense agreement, and improve accuracy regarding articles and singular/plural forms.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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