Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-04

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 the percentage of the population in four Asian countries Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia living in urban areas from 1970 to 2020, including predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the most significant growth of population is seen in Malaysia. Meanwhile, Thailand holds the last position comparing to other countries. However, Indonesia has drastically grew over the period to being last to predicted to be the second.

In 1970, Philippines accounted for 31% of population living in city, it remained level by 1980 and shown a drastic increase in 1990, reaching just below 50%, from there it began to dip over the years till 2010. It slightly kept increasing and estimated to keep increasing to just above 50% by 2040. However, Malaysia was the second in 1970, it over took philippines completely by 2000 and keep rising reaching above 70% in 2020 and is predicted to reach 85% by 2040.

Indonesia was at the bottom in 1970 at 12%. However, over the period, it gradiually grew to 28% by 2000 leveling Thailand and from there it skyrocketed to 50% by 2020, it is estimated to reach 60% by 2040.

Meanwhile, Thailand has steadily grew over the period and is predicted to be at 50% by 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by selecting and reporting the main features of urban population trends in the four countries from 1970 to 2040. An overview is provided at the beginning, identifying key highlights such as Malaysia's significant growth and Indonesia's dramatic shift. However, some parts are developed more fully than others; for instance, the details regarding the Philippines and Thailand contain minor generalisations or slight data inaccuracies, such as stating Thailand 'has steadily grew' when referring to predictions or misreporting specific starting points. While the main trends are successfully covered, clearer highlights of comparative data across all decades would elevate the task response further.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from the introductory overview into body paragraphs dedicated to specific country comparisons. Information and ideas are generally organized by grouping countries, such as pairing the Philippines and Malaysia in one paragraph and Indonesia and Thailand in the next. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical or faulty, with run-on sentences and weak transitional links between clauses, such as 'However, Malaysia was the second in 1970, it over took philippines completely by 2000'. Paragraphing is used adequately, but referencing and logical connectors could be managed more smoothly to ensure seamless progression throughout.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying trends using terms such as 'fluctuated', 'skyrocketed', 'dip', and 'predictions'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary like 'drastically grew' and 'over took', though these are accompanied by some inaccuracy in word form and collocation. Spelling and word choices generally do not impede communication, with terms like 'gradually' spelled correctly despite minor slips in morphological forms (e.g., 'gradiually grew' and 'has steadily grew'). To reach a higher band, the writer needs to demonstrate more precision and flexibility in lexical selection.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writing demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting multi-clause structures to report predictions and historical data. However, there are some errors in grammar and punctuation, particularly involving tense consistency, verb forms, and comma splices. Examples include 'Philippines accounted for 31% of population living in city, it remained level' and 'Indonesia has drastically grew'. While these errors do not impede overall communication, they occur regularly enough to restrict the score to this band. Incorporating a wider variety of error-free complex structures with tighter control over tense usage would improve this criterion.

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