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 given graph illustrates the insights regarding the comparison of proportion of the urban population in four different Asian nations between 1970 and 2020, following the future aspects for 2030 and 2040.

overall, Malaysia was ranked the greatest to end of the period despite of little fluctuations whereas Thailand had least portion of people at the end of period. Meanwhile, Philippines had a significant fluctuation throughout the period.

In 1970, Malaysia noticed to around 30%, later increased steadily to 40% in 1980, afterwards with a noticeable change rose to about 74% in 2020 and seems to increasing gradually to 80% in 2040. Meanwhile, Phillippines exhibit a unstable change throughout the period initialises from about 31% in 1970, followed by around 48% in 1990, approximately 45% in 2020 and later rising gradually to near 50% in 2040.

while Thailand begin its data with around 19% in 1970, then rose to about 25% simultaneously and continue to rise approximately to 40% in 2040 whereas Indonesia showed a inclined graph starts from about 15% in 1970, followed by around 25% in 2000, later increased to approximately 45% in 2020 and rising gradually to about 55% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by reporting on the main trends and making comparisons between the four countries from 1970 to 2040. An overview is present at the beginning, noting Malaysia's dominance and Thailand's lower proportion at the end of the timeline. However, some parts of the task are more fully developed than others. For instance, while Malaysia and the Philippines receive detailed commentary, the descriptions for Thailand and Indonesia are somewhat compressed and lack deeper comparative analysis. Data points are generally reported accurately from the visual data, though some figures contain slight approximations that are acceptable for this task type. To reach a higher band, the writer needs to ensure all countries receive an equally thorough level of detail and extension in their descriptions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The text presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear division into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs dedicated to different country groupings. Information and ideas are generally logically sequenced, and the progression from past data to future predictions is clear. However, cohesion at times feels mechanical or slightly faulty due to awkward transitional phrases and punctuation issues, such as starting the overview with a lowercase letter ('overall,') and clunky linking words like 'afterwards with a noticeable change'. Referencing is mostly clear, but paragraphing could be improved to give each country or time period more breathing room. To achieve a higher level, cohesive devices must be used more naturally and smoothly without disrupting the flow of the sentences.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common lexical items related to trends and changes, such as 'fluctuation', 'steadily', and 'gradually'. However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice, collocation, and word formation throughout the response. Examples include 'insights regarding the comparison of proportion', 'noticed to around 30%', 'exhibit a unstable change', and 'begin its data'. Additionally, spelling and capitalization errors appear, such as 'Phillippines' and starting sentences incorrectly. These errors do not seriously impede communication, but they restrict the lexical score to this level. Expanding the range of precise vocabulary and mastering collocations will help lift this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting structures like relative clauses and time-clause transitions. There are, nevertheless, some persistent errors in grammar, verb forms, and prepositional usage. Examples include 'Malaysia noticed to around 30%' (passive voice confusion), 'seems to increasing' (incorrect infinitive form), 'Thailand begin its data' (subject-verb agreement), and 'shows a inclined graph starts' (tense and participle issues). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missed capitalizations at the beginning of sentences and clauses. While these errors rarely impede overall communication, they prevent the writer from securing a higher score due to a lack of consistent control over complex grammatical patterns.

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