Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-08

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 graph tracks the propotion of the total humanbeings living in four different Asian states from the year 1970 to 2020, and in the future between 2030 to 2040.

Overall, it is clear that the total population living in Malaysia is expected the highest in percentage. Whereas, Thailand's and Indonesian's population is likely to increase, and despite being last at past, Philippines will surpassed Malaysia and Indonesia to become second most largest population city.

In detail, in 1970, Malaysia stood at 30%, which significantly increased to reach around 60% in 2000, and is likely to grow more at nearly 85% by 2040. Philippines started with just above 30% in 1970, which subsequently grew to just below 50% in 1990, and then dropped to around 40% by 2010.

Similarly, population of Thailand consisted of roughly 19% in starting, which then substantially rose to 30% in 1990, and then levelled off until 2020 with a minimal rise. After 2020, both Philipphines and Thailand are expected to rise considerably to around 50% and 45%, respectively. In contrast, Indonesians began with nearly 13%, and the trend grew, and is expected to increase substantially to around 60% by 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main upward trends and include a clear overview that Malaysia is projected to have the highest urban share. Several figures are also broadly accurate, such as Malaysia rising from 30% to about 60% by 2000 and the Philippines peaking around 1990 before declining. However, the overview contains a major comparison error: the Philippines is not expected to become second; Indonesia is projected to be second by 2040, at about 64%, while the Philippines reaches roughly 56%. The claim that the Philippines was “last at past” is also inaccurate, as Thailand and Indonesia were lower in 1970. The account covers all four countries, but some comparisons and later trends need clearer, more accurate development.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two detail paragraphs. Sequencing is generally understandable, and linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Similarly,” and “In contrast” help signal relationships. However, some connections are not logically precise. “Similarly” introduces Thailand after the Philippines, although the trends being described are not especially similar, and “In contrast” does not clearly establish what Indonesia contrasts with. The overview also combines several claims in a long sentence, making the comparison difficult to follow. Grouping countries by their trends or ranking, then using clearer references and transitions, would make the progression more controlled and the comparisons easier to track.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of trend vocabulary, including “increased,” “dropped,” “levelled off,” and “substantially,” which helps describe changes across the period. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “total humanbeings,” “population city,” and “stood at” for a percentage without a clear subject. There are also spelling errors, including “propotion” and “Philipphines,” and “second most largest” is an incorrect form. These issues do not prevent the reader from understanding the general trends, but they reduce precision and naturalness. Use standard terms such as “urban population” and “share of the population,” and check spelling and comparative forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “which” and time contrasts such as “After 2020.” Most of the intended meaning remains clear, but some grammatical errors occur in important sentences. For example, “is expected the highest” needs a construction such as “is expected to have the highest percentage,” while “Philippines will surpassed” has an incorrect verb form. The phrase “Thailand's and Indonesian's population” also has faulty agreement and possessive structure, and “in starting” is not a correct grammatical phrase. Review verb patterns after “expected,” subject–verb agreement, articles, and sentence construction. More accurate control of these forms would make your comparisons clearer.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.