Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The line chart illustrates information about urban population living in four Asian countries from 1970 to 2020, with projection for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, Malaysia had the highest urban population percentages. In contrast, Thailand has the lowest percentages for urban population, while Philippines and Indonesia experienced steady growth in urban population over the period.

According to the graph, the population of urban population was 30% in Philippines from 1970, which rose to nearly 45% in 1990. The projection shows a further increase to approximately 55% by 2040. Moreover, Malaysia urban population stood at 30% in 1970, which grew significantly around 60% in 2000, with a projected increase to nearly 80% in 2040.

Turning to the remaining countries, Thailand was stood at around 20% urban population in 1970. This figure increased 30% in 1980, is projection it increase nearly to 50% in 2040.. In 1970, Indonesia was stood at 12%, it grew rose to over the end of period, with prediction it increase 60% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the chart’s subject and provide an overview that correctly notes Malaysia’s leading position and Thailand’s comparatively low figures. You also report several relevant trends, including Malaysia’s rise from about 30% to around 60% by 2000 and its continued growth, and the Philippines’ increase towards the mid-50s by 2040. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: Thailand was about 24% in 1980, not 30%, and its figure reached roughly 30% around 1990. Indonesia’s rise is not described with a clear intermediate value, and the claim that Thailand has the lowest percentages does not hold throughout, as Indonesia starts lower. More precise comparisons and coverage of the countries’ differing trajectories would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs grouping the countries. Linking phrases such as “Overall,” “According to the graph,” and “Turning to the remaining countries” help signal the stages of the report, and the reader can follow the broad sequence. This organisation is effective, though some connections are mechanical and the final paragraph becomes difficult to follow because several figures and time references are compressed into one sentence. For example, “it grew rose to over the end of period” does not clearly connect Indonesia’s starting point to its later values. Use clearer chronological comparisons and ensure each sentence expresses one complete data point or trend.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “projection,” “urban population,” “stood at,” and “increased,” so the topic is generally clear. However, the range is limited and several word combinations are inaccurate or repetitive. “Population of urban population” repeats the same idea, while “Malaysia urban population” needs a more natural possessive or noun phrase. Expressions such as “grew significantly around 60%” and “grew rose” are not idiomatic and make the data harder to interpret. Aim for precise reporting verbs and collocations, such as “the proportion rose to” or “is projected to reach.” This would improve clarity and show more control of vocabulary without requiring unnecessarily complex wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple statements and longer clauses, including sentences with relative clauses such as “which rose to nearly 45%.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors in verb forms and sentence construction sometimes obscure the intended meaning. Examples include “Thailand was stood,” “it increase,” and “is projection it increase”; these should use forms such as “stood,” “is projected to increase,” or “is expected to reach.” There are also problems with articles and prepositions, as in “in Philippines from 1970,” and the final sentence contains a comma splice. Practise accurate past-tense descriptions for historical data and consistent future forms for projections, while separating complete ideas with appropriate punctuation.

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