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 graph below shows the information about percentage of the population in four asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with prediction for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the percentage of the population living in cities is malaysia with the highest percentage by 80% likewise the lowest percentage is thailand by 40% while other countries are in mid percentage.

At the beginning, In 1970 the population living in cities of Malaysia is 30% but after some in in 2000 it constantly rise up by 60% after that it started increased into 80% in 2040.Whereas, In 1970 the population living cities is more than 30% in philippines but after many year it increased constantly in 2040 with 50% which is quite alot.

In the last paragraph, the population of thailand is more than 20% in 1970 it started went up year by year into less than 50% in 2040 also the population of indonesia in 1970 is more than 10% percentage but it increase quite a lot in 2040 with 60% which means alot.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response attempts to cover the requirements of the task, but the information is only partially presented. While the writer manages to mention most of the four countries and general upward trends across the timeline, the overview is confused and inaccurate, incorrectly stating that Malaysia is at 80% and Thailand is at 40% as a sweeping summary without clear comparison of starting and ending points. Furthermore, some of the data points cited are vague, such as 'more than 30%' or 'quite a lot', and the final predictions for 2030 and 2040 are missing or poorly integrated for some countries. To reach a higher level, the writer needs to present a clearer and more accurate overview of the main trends and select key data points to effectively compare all four countries across the entire period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The text demonstrates some basic organisation, dividing the response into an introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. However, there is no clear overall progression throughout the essay. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as 'Likewise', 'Whereas', and 'In the last paragraph', which disrupts the natural flow of information. Referencing between sentences is also sometimes unclear, making it difficult to follow the logical development of ideas. To improve coherence and cohesion, the writer should use a wider and more accurate range of linking words, ensure each paragraph has a distinct and logical focus, and avoid mechanical transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited and minimally adequate for the task. The writer relies heavily on simple and repetitive phrasing, such as 'percentage of the population living in cities', 'rise up', and 'increased constantly'. There are noticeable lexical errors and awkward word choices, including 'mid percentage', 'after some in in 2000', and 'alot'. These inaccuracies occasionally cause some difficulty for the reader. To achieve a higher band, the student needs to incorporate a broader range of vocabulary, including less common lexical items related to data trends and urbanisation, while using them with greater precision and correct word formation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writer demonstrates a limited range of sentence structures, relying primarily on simple sentences alongside a few poorly controlled complex attempts. There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the response, including issues with verb tenses ('is 30%' used for past events), preposition usage ('in in 2000', 'living cities'), and missing articles. For instance, writing 'population living cities is more than 30% in philippines' contains multiple structural and punctuation errors. These frequent errors can cause difficulty for the reader. To improve, the writer should focus on mastering basic sentence structures, ensuring consistent past and future tense control when describing graph data, and improving accuracy in punctuation and prepositions.

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