Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)
The line graph illustrates the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, Malaysia had the highest proportion of people living in cities, whereas Thailand had the lowest. Meanwhile, the proportions of people living in the Philippines and Indonesia fluctuated throughout the period.
From 1970 to 2010, Malaysia had the highest proportion of people living in cities, stood at 30% and increased slightly to 40% in 1980, rose marginally to 42% in 1990 and increased to 60% in 2000 then reached 70% in 2010. Whereas Thailand had the lowest population, represented 29% in 1970 and increased slightly to 22% and 26% in 1980 and 1990 respectively, remain
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5
The response is severely incomplete, falling well short of the minimum 150-word requirement at only 99 words (with 22 words copied directly from the prompt). Because the text stops abruptly mid-sentence with the word 'remain', it only partially addresses the task. While the student attempts an overview and begins to report data for Malaysia and Thailand, the lack of completion means that key features and comparisons for all four countries are missing or underdeveloped, placing the response at a low level for this criterion.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5
The essay demonstrates some basic organization with a clear introductory sentence and an initial overview paragraph. However, the overall progression breaks down completely due to the abrupt ending. Cohesive devices are minimal, and the logical flow between sentences is occasionally hindered by abrupt shifts and contradictory data reporting, such as stating that Thailand 'had the lowest population, represented 29% in 1970 and increased slightly to 22% and 26%', which contains contradictory numbers and mechanical referencing.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is minimally adequate for the task, featuring standard reporting terms such as 'illustrates', 'percentage', and 'fluctuated'. However, there are noticeable lexical and data-reporting errors that cause confusion, such as writing 'stood at 30%' for Malaysia in 1970 when the graph shows around 30%, and misreporting Thailand's figures as 29% in 1970 when it was actually 18%. Attempts at vocabulary are basic and sometimes imprecise, but they do not completely obscure the intended topic.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response relies on a very limited range of sentence structures, primarily simple and repetitive patterns describing data points. There are noticeable errors in grammar, such as using participle clauses incorrectly ('stood at 30%' and 'represented 29%') and dangling modifiers. Because the text cuts off mid-sentence with 'remain', complex structures are rarely attempted accurately, and the frequent errors and lack of completion restrict the score at this level.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.