Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-05
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 5.0)
The given line graph illustrates changes in population living in cities between 1970 to 2040 in different countries including Philippines,Malaysia ,Thailand and Indonesia. The figures are measured in percentages.
Overall, it can be observed that Malaysia showed an upward trend, whereas Thailand experienced a downward trend. Moreover, Malaysia recorded the highest figure during the period.
At the beginning of the period(1970), Philippines stood at 31%, while Malaysia was at 30. After that,Malaysia increase sharply to 85% in 2040. Meanwhile, other categories including Phillippines,Thailand and Indonesia showed a similar trend.
From 1970 onwards, Indonesia continued to rise gradually and will reach 60% by 2040. In contrast,Thailand also increased to 40%. By the end of the period, Malaysia will have the highest population in 2040 according to the predictions and all other countries will grow gradually.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0
The response addresses the task minimally and fails to meet the required word count of 150 words, stopping at 134 words. While the introduction outlines the general topic and the overview attempts to highlight some main trends, the selection of data is weak and contains inaccuracies. For instance, the claim that Thailand experienced a downward trend contradicts the visual data, which shows an overall upward trajectory for Thailand from 18% to nearly 50%. Furthermore, several figures are misreported or generalized incorrectly, such as the statement regarding Malaysia increasing sharply to 85% in 2040 and Indonesia reaching 60% by 2040 being somewhat conflated. Key comparisons between countries are largely omitted or underdeveloped.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The text demonstrates some overall organization with basic paragraphing, separating the introduction, overview, and body details. However, there is no clear overall progression, and the logical flow is disrupted by contradictory statements and repetitive information. Cohesive devices are used minimally and sometimes inappropriately, such as 'After that' and 'Meanwhile'. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the mechanical transitions fail to smoothly connect the data points. To improve, the writer needs to ensure ideas are logically sequenced with a clearer progression and more natural, varied cohesive links.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The lexical resource is limited but minimally adequate to convey basic concepts related to the graph. The student attempts some topic-specific vocabulary such as 'line graph', 'percentages', 'upward trend', and 'predictions'. However, there are noticeable errors in word choice and phrasing, such as 'Malaysia increase' (form error) and grouping Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia as showing a 'similar trend' when their trajectories vary significantly. Spelling and word formation errors occasionally occur, but they do not completely impede communication. To reach a higher band, a wider range of less common vocabulary and precise collocations should be incorporated.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response exhibits a limited range of sentence structures, relying primarily on simple sentences and basic complex forms. Attempts at complex structures are often basic or contain grammatical errors. Frequent errors include missing articles, tense inconsistencies (e.g., mixing past data descriptions with future predictions clumsily), and spacing or punctuation issues around commas and periods. For example, 'Malaysia increase sharply' lacks the correct past tense verb form. While these errors do not entirely prevent the reader from understanding the general topic, they are frequent enough to restrict the grammatical score.
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.