Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The line chart illustrates the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, Malaysia recorded the highest percentage throughoutout the period, while Thailand accounted for the lowest proportion. Meanwhile, the Philippines and Indonesia registered moderate figures over the period.

Regarding the percentage of the population in Malaysia recorded highest percentage throughout the period, stood at 30% in 1970, increased gradually to 40% in 1980 and climbed sharply to 45% in 1990. It then rose steadily to 60 % in 2000 and grew up to 70% and 75% in 2010 and 2020, respectively. It is projected to reach 80% and 90% in 2030 and 2040. In contrast, Thailand started at 19% in 1970, increased slightly to 23% in 1980 and climbed steadily to 30 % in 1990 and remained constant in 2000. It then rose significantly to 32% in 2010 and remained unchanged in 2020. It is projected to reach 40% and 50% in 2030 and 2040.

Turning to Philippines and Indonesia, the figures of the population living in cities in philippines stood at 31% in 1970 and rose slightly to 31% in 1980 and climbed gradually to 50 % in 1990. It then decreased subsiquently to 45% and 40 % in 2000 and 2010 and grew up to 44% in 2020. It is projected to reach 50% and 55% in 2030 and 2040. In comparison, indonesia began at 13% in 1970 and increased sharply to 15% and 22% in 1980 and 1990. It then advanced to 29% in 2000 and rose gradually to 42% and 50% in 2010 and 2020. it is projected to reach 59% and 62% in 2030 and 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response covers all parts of the task by reporting data for all four countries across the given timeframe, including the future projections. An overview is successfully presented in the second paragraph, capturing the overall trends and extremes, such as Malaysia recording the highest proportion and Thailand the lowest. Key features and comparisons are generally well selected and supported with data points from the chart. However, some parts are more fully developed than others, and a few figures contain minor inaccuracies when compared to the visual data, such as Malaysia's 1990 value being reported as 45% rather than approximately 45.5%, or minor discrepancies in the starting points. Despite these minor lapses, the response clearly moves beyond a mere listing of data to highlight salient trends, satisfying the requirements for a score in this range while showing elements of higher-level task coverage.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from the introduction to the overview and the detailed body paragraphs. Information is structured into sensible paragraphs, with the first body paragraph focusing on Malaysia and Thailand, and the second addressing the Philippines and Indonesia. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as 'Overall', 'Regarding', 'In contrast', 'Turning to', and 'In comparison'. However, referencing and cohesion can occasionally feel somewhat mechanical or formulaic. Paragraphing is handled adequately to separate distinct groups of countries, but the internal flow within paragraphs could be smoother to achieve a truly seamless progression. The response successfully meets the criteria for this band while laying the groundwork for more flexible and sophisticated cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The writer uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common and functional items such as 'proportion', 'projected', 'remained constant', and 'fluctuated' equivalents. There are several vocabulary and spelling errors, such as 'throughoutout', 'subsiquently' (subsequently), and slight inaccuracies in word choice or collocation, like 'grew up to' instead of 'increased to'. However, these lexical and spelling slips do not impede communication, and the intended meaning remains clear throughout. To reach the next band, the vocabulary needs to show greater precision, fewer spelling mistakes, and a wider deployment of less common lexical items used with more natural control and collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and time-referencing structures like 'The line chart illustrates...' and 'It is projected to reach...'. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, particularly involving subject-verb agreement, article use, and prepositional phrases embedded in complex patterns, such as 'Regarding the percentage of the population in Malaysia recorded highest percentage...' which lacks proper clause integration. Other minor grammatical slips appear occasionally, such as lowercase country names like 'indonesia' and 'philippines'. Nevertheless, these errors are sporadic and rarely impede communication, reflecting a typical profile where simple sentences are generally accurate while attempts at more complex structures introduce some grammatical strain.

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