Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The line graph depicts changes in population across various cities throughout the decade spanning 1970 to 2020 and projected predictions for period 2030 to 2040. It presents four distinct Asian countries includes: Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia.

Overall, there is a noticeble increase in the population of Indonesia, despite being the lowest figure in beginning. Similarly, all the other countries followed an upgoing trend. Although, Malaysia remained the highest populated country by the end of timeframe.

Initially in 1970, the graph projected approximately 14% population in Indonesia, it increases gradually and expected to experience 60% population in 2040. Whereas, Philippines comprised of 32% population in 1970, it experienced significant fluctuation till 2010. However, it is predicted that its population reached atmost 50%.

Meanwhile, the two remaining categories followed the similar pattern. Malaysia and Thailand exhibited 30% and 19% respectively. Malaysia is expected to experience a dramatic increase, reaching 80% population by 2040 which made it highest category among all. While, Thailand rose steadily till 1990, later it remain slightly fluctuated by 2020 and its population is expected to reach 55% 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 the graph regarding the percentage of the urban population in four Asian countries. An overview is provided, noting the general upward trend and Malaysia finishing as the highest. However, some ideas and figures are under-developed or slightly inaccurate when compared to the visual data. For instance, the student states that Indonesia was the lowest figure in the beginning and reaches 60% in 2040, which is generally accurate, but other data points contain minor generalisations or discrepancies, such as mentioning Thailand rose to '55% by 2040' when the graph shows around 49.5%. The selection of key features is adequate to meet the requirements for this level, though more precise data citation and extension of comparisons would elevate the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response exhibits a coherent overall arrangement with a clear progression from the introduction to the overview and body paragraphs. Paragraphing is used appropriately to group information by countries and trends. However, cohesion at times feels a bit mechanical or faulty. Transitional phrases like 'Meanwhile, the two remaining categories followed the similar pattern' introduce minor referencing issues, as the previous paragraph discussed individual countries rather than distinct categories. Furthermore, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat basic ('Initially', 'However', 'While'), and the referencing of data could be smoother to ensure a more natural flow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying trends such as 'noticeble increase', 'upgoing trend', and 'fluctuation'. The writer attempts less common vocabulary such as 'projected predictions', 'exhibited', and 'dramatic increase', but these attempts are sometimes accompanied by inaccuracies in word choice, spelling, and collocation. For example, 'noticeble' contains a spelling error, 'upgoing trend' is an unnatural collocation compared to 'upward trend', and the phrase 'highest populated country' is awkward. Word choice errors do not impede overall communication, but they reflect a limited precision that keeps the lexical score at this level. Developing a wider range of precise lexical items for data reporting will help improve this aspect.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting structures such as concessive clauses ('despite being the lowest figure') and relative or participial constructions. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, but they rarely impede communication. Examples include punctuation and agreement issues in 'four Asian countries includes: Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia' and tense inconsistencies or awkward verb forms such as 'its population reached atmost 50%' and 'later it remain slightly fluctuated'. Preposition and article omissions also occur occasionally. To reach a higher band, the student needs to produce a greater frequency of error-free sentences when attempting complex grammatical structures.

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