Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-07

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 four Asian countries; Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia's population living in rural areas at the year of 1970 and 2020. And predicts population on 2030 and 2040.

Overall, every countries population increase rapidly from the beginning and prediction of population of every countries just follow the trend. Malaysia's population in cities as always peak from the starting.

In 1970, Philippines and Malaysia's amount of citizens were almost same around 30% lead citylife. Where other two nations Thailand and Indonesia's citizens living in cities was almost 19% and 12% respectively. After two decades, every countries population in cities increase frequently. However, after 1990, Philippines population in cities slidey decrease in next two decades. In 2020, every countries vast population just follow the trend living in cities. By these situation, graph predicts last two decades 2030 and 2040, and surely the amount of people is increased in rural areas.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response4.0
Coherence and Cohesion4.5
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy4.5
Overall4.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response identifies the four countries and includes a brief overview that Malaysia remains highest and that the figures generally rise. However, it misstates the task at the outset as population living in “rural areas,” and the final sentence again says the forecast is for people in rural areas, which reverses the chart’s subject. Coverage of the data is minimal: there is no clear account of Malaysia’s strong rise, Indonesia’s substantial growth, or the projected rankings and values by 2040. Some details are relevant, such as the Philippines’ rise to 1990 followed by a decline, but “every countries population increase rapidly” is too broad, since several increases are gradual. A more accurate overview and selected comparisons across the full period are needed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the response, moving from an introduction and overview to earlier figures and later years. Time markers such as “In 1970,” “After two decades,” and “after 1990” help the reader follow the intended sequence. However, the progression is weakened by unclear or incomplete statements, including “In 2020, every countries vast population just follow the trend,” which does not explain what happened. The final forecast sentence is also difficult to connect to the chart because it refers to rural areas. Several ideas are joined mechanically with “And,” “However,” and “By these situation.” Use clearer paragraphing and link each period to a specific comparison or trend.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant topic vocabulary, including “population,” “citizens,” “increase,” “decrease,” and “predicts,” so the general subject can be recognised. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, sometimes obscuring the intended meaning. “Lead citylife” is not a clear way to describe the share living in cities, while “slidey decrease” is an unsuitable expression for a downward trend. “Population” is also repeatedly used where “proportion” or “percentage” would be more precise. Avoid switching to “rural areas,” as this changes the meaning of the chart. Aim for accurate collocations such as “the urban population share rose” and “the figure is projected to reach.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts a few longer sentences, for example, “However, after 1990, Philippines population in cities slidey decrease in next two decades,” but control of sentence structure and basic grammar is inconsistent. The opening fragment beginning “And predicts” is not a complete sentence, and “every countries” shows errors in agreement and plural formation. Articles and possessives are also missing or misused in phrases such as “Philippines population” and “Malaysia's amount of citizens.” Verb forms are often incorrect: “population increase” and “was almost 19%” do not fit their subjects and meanings. These errors sometimes make relationships between figures difficult to understand. Practise complete sentences with accurate subject–verb agreement and past-tense forms for historical data.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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