Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The line graph provides information about the population in four Asian countries such as Philippines,Malaysia ,Thailand and Indonesia living in cities between 1970 and 2020 ,with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, regarding all four countries the figure showed an upward trend.

In 2030 and 2040 the graph predicts increase in population living in cities for all four countries.

In 1970 more than 30% of total population in Philippines preferred to live in cities. The percentage was 30% in Malaysia , followed by Thailand at less than 20%. The percentage was about more than 10% in Indonesia. The figure increased between 1980 to 2020 .However. regarding Philippines it decreased between 1990 and 2010. In 2020 highest percentage of total population living in cities was in Malaysia at more than 80%, followed by Indonesia at more than 50%. In Philippines and Thailand it was about 50% and more than 40% respectively.

As there was a rising pattern between the following years for all the four countries. It can be predict that the percentage of the population living in cities will be increase among the four Asian countries in 2030 and 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 the line graph, outlining overall trends for all four countries. However, some aspects of the data are under-developed or inaccurately cited. For instance, the student states that 'in Philippines and Thailand it was about 50% and more than 40% respectively' for 2020, whereas the visual data indicates roughly 45.5% and 33.5% respectively. Furthermore, some data comparisons lack precision and the overview tends to generalise without providing a clear overarching summary of the most striking differences. To reach a higher level, the response should present a more thoroughly developed overview of the main trends and cite data figures more accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The essay demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement and attempts to organise information into logical paragraphs, though the paragraphing is somewhat fragmented and lacks clear transitions between ideas. Cohesive devices are sometimes mechanical or faulty, such as the abrupt use of 'However.' and the repeated sentence structures when introducing data points. Referencing is occasionally unclear, making the progression of ideas feel a bit disjointed at times. To improve, the student needs to use a wider range of cohesive devices more flexibly and ensure that paragraphs are structured with clear topic sentences and smooth logical progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying basic trends through terms like 'upward trend', 'increase', and 'percentage'. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary, such as 'predictions' and 'proportion', but experiences some inaccuracies in word choice, collocation, and phrasing, such as 'figure showed an upward trend' instead of 'figures showed' or 'proportions showed'. Spelling is generally acceptable, and word choice errors do not impede communication. To move to a higher band, the student should incorporate a broader and more precise range of lexical items suitable for academic data reporting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over basic grammar. However, there are noticeable errors in grammar and punctuation, including missing articles ('in Philippines', 'highest percentage'), incorrect prepositions ('in 1980 to 2020'), and punctuation faults like the stray full stop before 'However.'. There are also awkward grammatical patterns such as 'It can be predict that... will be increase'. Although these errors rarely impede overall communication, they persist throughout the text. Enhancing grammatical accuracy and diversifying complex structures with fewer errors will elevate this criterion.

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