Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

The graph illustrates the percentage of the population living in four Asian countries from 1970 to 2020.Predictions were also given for the future population for these countries in 2030 and 2040.The population of each country was measured in percentage.

Overall, the three countries(Malaysia,Thailand and Indonesia) followed a rising trends of Population.Whereas, the initial population of these three countries were at a lower side. Although, Philipines population was first increased then decreased for few years.After some years,it was raised in 2 years with the prediction of a rising pattern in the upcoming years.

Initially,Malaysia accounted for 30% population in 1970.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response identifies the chart’s subject and attempts an overview, noting that Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia generally rise while the Philippines fluctuates before being predicted to increase. However, the report is only a minimal response to the task: it gives just one specific figure, Malaysia’s 30% in 1970, and does not describe the other countries’ data or make meaningful comparisons. The overview also inaccurately calls the three countries’ starting populations “at a lower side,” since Malaysia began at 30%, close to the Philippines at 32%. The response contains 99 words, so it does not meet the required minimum of 150. To improve, report the main changes across the period, compare the countries’ levels and projected outcomes, and support the overview with selected figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an introduction is followed by an overview and then a detail paragraph beginning “Initially.” The overall progression is limited, however, because the final paragraph stops after one figure and does not develop the country-by-country account. Connections between ideas are also sometimes awkward or unclear, as in “Although, Philipines population was first increased then decreased,” where the contrast is not smoothly linked to the preceding statement. The overview combines several trends in a way that makes the comparison difficult to follow. Use separate, purposeful paragraphs for the overview and key details, and group countries by their trends or levels. Clear links such as “By contrast” and “Meanwhile” can help show how the figures relate.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant chart vocabulary, including “percentage,” “predictions,” “rising trends” and “decreased,” so the topic is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, such as “population … was at a lower side” and “it was raised in 2 years.” Repetition of “population” also makes the description less precise; the chart measures the proportion of people living in cities, not population growth itself. There are spelling and word-form issues, including “Philipines” and “rising trends” where a singular subject is intended. Build a more accurate range for describing proportions and movement, for example “urban share,” “rose steadily,” “declined slightly” and “is projected to reach.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response communicates a few basic ideas using simple sentences and an attempted contrast, but grammatical control is inconsistent. For example, “the three countries … followed a rising trends” has a subject–verb and singular/plural mismatch, while “the initial population of these three countries were” also has faulty agreement. The sentence beginning “Although” is not correctly connected to a main clause, and “After some years,it was raised” has punctuation spacing and an unclear pronoun reference. Most structures are simple, with little accurate variety to express comparisons or changes over time. Practise forming complete contrast sentences and checking agreement, articles and punctuation. For instance: “Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia all became more urbanised, whereas the Philippines’ figure rose and then fell before increasing again.”

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