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 graph 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.

Overall, the population living in Malaysia was lower in the past but it is growing higher than other countries and also its prediction is greater than other countries. The population living in Indonesia was lesser than other countries but it is predicted that it will be on second stage in terms of population in future with other countries. while the population of Philippines and Thailand was remained stable in the past and also in future with predictions.

In detail, the population of Malaysia was 30% in 1970 and then it was almost 50% in 1990 later there was a gradual increase in its population till 2020. Now, according to predictions it will grow 80% in 2040. While the population of Indonesia was approximately 10 percent in 1970 but in 2010 it grew 40%. According to the prediction it will increase 60% in 2040.

The population of Philippines was 30% in 1970 and it was 20% for Thailand in that time. By 1990, the population of Philippines raised 50% and the population of Thailand was reached 30%. After that period, the population of Philippines declined to 40% in 2010 while the population of Thailand remained stable during that period. It is predicted that the population of Philippines and Thailand will increase to 50%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by reporting on the overall trends and data points across the four countries, though some details are under-developed or imprecise. The overview correctly identifies Malaysia's significant growth and the relative stability of others, but misinterprets some trajectory details, such as stating that Indonesia will be on the 'second stage' or generalising that Philippines and Thailand remained stable. Key features like starting points and end predictions are generally covered, but comparisons could be sharper. For instance, stating the Philippines' population was '30% in 1970' closely matches the data, but the overall development of ideas remains somewhat limited rather than fully extended, placing it firmly at this level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a clear attempt at paragraphing, separating the introduction, overview, and specific body details. However, cohesion is sometimes faulty or mechanical. Words like 'Later', 'Now', and 'While' are used to connect ideas, but referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the dangling phrase 'with other countries' in the second paragraph. The progression between sentences lacks smoothness, and the transition into body paragraphs feels abrupt. Paragraphing is present, but the internal logical flow of information needs better organization to achieve a higher band.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the student to communicate basic trends using terms like 'percentage', 'population', 'gradual increase', and 'predictions'. However, the range is limited and repetitive, with frequent reliance on basic phrasing ('population of...', 'increase', 'stable'). There are noticeable word choice and collocation inaccuracies, such as 'growing higher than other countries' instead of 'surpassing other countries', and 'raised 50%' instead of 'rose to 50%'. These errors do not impede communication, but they reflect a basic control of lexical items without successful attempts at less common phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and time markers like 'from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for...'. However, there are frequent errors in grammar and structure. Examples include tense inconsistencies and awkward passive/active transitions such as 'was remained stable' and 'will grow 80%' instead of 'will grow to 80%'. Prepositional and article errors also occur throughout the text. While these grammatical errors rarely impede overall communication, the frequency of faulty structures prevents the response from achieving a higher level of accuracy.

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