Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-03

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 6.5)

The line graph illustrates the percentage of the population living in cities in four Asian countries, namely the Philippines, malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the proportion of people living in cities is expected to increase in all four countries where as Malaysia shows the highest overall growth and is predicted to remain the country with the largest urban population. Conversely, the Philippines is the only country that experienced some fluctuations during the period.

In 1970, around 30% of the population in both the Philippines and Malaysia lived in citites. This figure increased to about 40% in Malaysia in 1980 and approximately 46% in 1990. Malaysia then saw a sharp rise, reaching about 60% in 2000 and exepected to reach about 83% by 2040. however, Indonesia also experienced significant growth, rising from roughly 14% in 1970 to 43% in 2010, and it is predicted to reach around 65% in 2040.

The Philippines started at about 32% in 1970 and rose to nearly 48% in 1990. Nevertheless, the figure declined slightly to around 43% in 2010 before increasing again. It is forecast to reach approximately 56% by 2040. Thailand had the lowest percentage in 1970, at about 18% , however its urban population gradually increased and is predicted to reach about 50% by 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features, trends, and comparisons across the four countries over the given period. An effective overview is provided, highlighting the general upward trend in urbanization, Malaysia's dominant growth, and the Philippines' period of fluctuation. Key data points for each country are cited accurately from the graph, such as Malaysia's rise from 30% in 1970 to 76% in 2020, and Indonesia's growth to 52%. However, some ideas are slightly more detailed than others, with certain figures rounded or integrated rapidly, which prevents the response from achieving a higher rating. Overall, the information is well-selected and directly addresses the prompt's requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from the introduction to the overview, body paragraphs, and concluding data points. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different countries and timeframes. Cohesive devices are employed to link ideas, such as 'Overall', 'Conversely', and 'Nevertheless'. However, cohesion is occasionally mechanical or slightly faulty, for instance with the comma splice and lowercase spelling in 'where as Malaysia', and some minor lapses in referencing between sentences. To reach the next level, the student needs to ensure smoother transitions between clauses and more precise control over cohesive links.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, successfully conveying trends and percentages using terms such as 'proportion', 'fluctuations', 'sharp rise', and 'gradually increased'. The student also attempts less common vocabulary like 'forecast' and 'predicted'. However, there are some noticeable inaccuracies in word choice, punctuation of proper nouns, and spelling errors, such as 'malaysia' with a lowercase letter, 'citites' instead of 'cities', and 'exepected' instead of 'expected'. These lexical slips and minor inaccuracies prevent the response from achieving a higher band, though they do not impede overall communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and time markers effectively (e.g., 'The line graph illustrates the percentage of the population living in cities in four Asian countries...'). There are some successful complex structures, but also persistent grammatical errors and punctuation issues, such as missing commas in compound predicates ('Thailand had the lowest percentage in 1970, at about 18% , however its...'). Errors are present but they rarely impede communication, reflecting the characteristics of a mixed grammatical control. Greater control over punctuation and complex clause linking would elevate the grammar score.

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