Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-06
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 gives the information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with the predictions for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, the percentage of Malaysia population is most higher as compared to other countries. Percentage of Indonesia and Philippines is high.while the percentage of Thailand is lowest as compared to other countries.
In 1970,percentage of total population of Malaysia had 30% and Indonesia 13% .In 1980 gradually increase Malaysia had approximately 40% in 1990 is 42% it was steadily increase with the passage of time in 2040 is approximately 80% and Indonesia had 22% in 1990 .percentage of Indonesia in 2000 and 2010 is 25% and 38% in 2020 and 2030 percentage 48% and 58% or 60% in 2040.
percentage of Philippines in 1970 30% and 40% in 1990 and then it statrts decreasing in 2000 and 2010 42% and 38%. In 2020 and 2030 starts increasing 42% and 48% in 2040 is 50%.Thailand is 19% and 22% in 1970 and 1980 in 2030 and 2040 had 35% and 40%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response addresses the task only partially, presenting some selected data from the graph, but the overview provided in the second paragraph is somewhat confused and inaccurate regarding overall rankings (e.g., stating that the percentage of Malaysia is most higher, while missing key trends). Several figures reported contain inaccuracies when compared against the visual data, such as claiming Indonesia started at 13% and Malaysia at 30% in 1970 (which are close), but subsequent data points show significant inaccuracies or lack clear selection. Key features such as the dramatic rise of Malaysia and Indonesia are mentioned, but the overall presentation lacks a fully developed and accurate summary of main trends. Ideas are limited and under-developed, placing this response at the five level for this criterion.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5
The response shows some organization, but there is no clear overall progression. The information is clumped together into dense, poorly structured paragraphs rather than being logically grouped by countries or overall trends. Cohesive devices are weak, inaccurate, or missing, leading to run-on sentences and a lack of clear referencing between data points. For instance, sentences like 'In 1970, percentage of total population of Malaysia had 30% and Indonesia 13%' demonstrate choppy sequencing and poor connection of ideas. Paragraphing is inadequate, as the body paragraphs mix multiple countries and timeframes haphazardly, making it difficult for the reader to follow the progression of information smoothly. This places the response firmly within the band four to five range for coherence and cohesion.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The student uses a limited but minimally adequate range of vocabulary suitable for discussing percentages and general trends. However, there are noticeable errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'most higher' instead of 'the highest', and awkward phrasing like 'gradually increase Malaysia had approximately 40%'. Spelling and word formation attempts are basic, and while communication is generally not severely impeded, the recurrence of imprecise lexical items and unnatural phrasing restricts the vocabulary score. To reach a higher band, the student needs to incorporate a wider variety of vocabulary with greater precision, using correct word forms and more sophisticated synonyms to describe upward and downward movements.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5
The response displays a limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple or poorly constructed clause combinations. Attempts at complex sentences are frequently faulty, leading to frequent errors that cause difficulty for the reader, such as missing verbs ('Thailand is 19%'), incorrect prepositions, and fragmented clauses ('In 2020 and 2030 starts increasing 42% and 48% in 2040 is 50%'). Punctuation is also problematic, with missing spaces and comma splices throughout the text. The high frequency of grammatical errors in basic sentence construction, verb forms, and agreements prevents the response from achieving a higher band.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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