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 graph illustrates information about the proportion of the population in four Asian countries residing in different cities between 1970 and 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, Malaysia saw a huge increase in population living in the cities. Indonesia was the second most popular, whereas Phillippines abd Thailand showed a steady growth.

Malaysia percentage of total population increased from 30 percent in 1970 to approximately 45 percent in 1980, before surging to 70 percent in 2020 with an estimated growth upto 80 percent by 2040. Indonesia with approximately 12 percent in 1970 steadily increased to 30 percent by 2000, then a sharp increase from 2000 to 2020 with an estimation of 50 percent and a prediction of 60 percent by 2040.

Thailand and Phillippines are constanly growing. From 20 percent in Thailand and 30 percent in Phillippines in 1970. Both hit a plateau from 1990 to 2020. Future prediction of Phillippines is 50 percent and Thailand approximately 50 percent by 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by selecting and reporting on the main features of the four countries over the given time period. An overview is attempted, noting the general trends such as Malaysia's significant increase. However, some ideas and details are under-developed or less fully covered. For instance, the data points for Indonesia and the Philippines contain some inaccuracies or approximations that do not entirely align with the visual data, such as stating the Philippines started at 30 percent in 1970 when the graph shows 32 percent, and minor confusions in specific years and values. To reach a higher level, the response needs a more precise selection of key data points and a fully developed, accurate overview of all trends without minor factual discrepancies.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The text presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from an introductory statement, through an overview, down to specific country details in subsequent paragraphs. Paragraphing is utilised to separate distinct ideas, grouping Malaysia and Indonesia together and Thailand and the Philippines in the final paragraph. However, cohesion at times feels a bit mechanical or faulty, particularly with abrupt transitions between sentences and slightly disjointed referencing. For example, starting sentences with phrases like 'Malaysia percentage of total population' lacks smooth grammatical connection. To improve Coherence and Cohesion, the writer should employ a wider and more flexible range of cohesive devices to link ideas more fluidly across sentences and paragraphs.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The writer uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as 'proportion', 'surging', 'steady growth', and 'plateau'. There are, however, some noticeable lexical errors and spelling mistakes that affect precision, such as 'Phillippines' (misspelled), 'abd' instead of 'and', and awkward phrasings like 'Malaysia was the second most popular' (where 'highest' or 'urbanised' would be more appropriate). Less common vocabulary is attempted with some inaccuracy in word choice and collocation. To move to a higher band, the student should expand their range of functional academic vocabulary, ensure correct spelling of proper nouns, and refine word choices to match the context of statistical data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting structures with dependent clauses and participial phrases, such as 'before surging to 70 percent in 2020 with an estimated growth upto 80 percent'. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, including missing prepositions or articles ('Malaysia percentage' instead of 'Malaysia's percentage', 'upto' written as one word), and slight structural awkwardness in sentences like 'Indonesia with approximately 12 percent in 1970 steadily increased...'. Nevertheless, these errors rarely impede communication and the meaning remains clear. To achieve a higher score, the writer needs to demonstrate greater control over complex sentence patterns and reduce grammatical slips.

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

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