Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The line graph illustrates the percentage of the citizens in four Asian nations (Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia) living in cities between 1970 and 2020, with projections for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, it is clear that Malaysia has the highest number of people in the nation, whereas at the start Indonesia was at the bottom but towards the end Thailand became the country with the least amount of citizens and also is predicted to stay there.

Looking first at the figure for Malaysia, it started at exactly 30% of the total population, which is just under Philippines in 1970, after which it started to increase gradually until reaching around 75% in 2020, with predictions that it would continue to grow, reaching a peak of approximately 81% in 2040. Similarly, the proportion for Philippines started at around 32% in 1970, after which it also continued to grow steadily until 1990, which it reached just under 50%, then it experienced a slight dip and towards 2020 it recovered slightly, and would eventually continue to grow to around 55% by 2040.

Turning to the remaining categories, the figure for Thailand started at just under 20%, after which it continued to increase steadily and also is predicted to keep rising until reaching approximately 50% by 2040. Likewise, the figure for Indonesia stated at around 15% and continued to climb, before surpassing Thailand in 2000, and Philippines in 2010, after whch it is predicted to keep climbing to around 60% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall pattern: Malaysia rises to the highest level, while Indonesia grows strongly and Thailand remains comparatively low. The response also includes relevant figures and comparisons, such as Malaysia at 30% in 1970 and Indonesia overtaking the Philippines by 2010. This covers the task, but some details are imprecise or incomplete. The overview says Thailand becomes the least urbanised “towards the end”; in fact, Indonesia is still below Thailand in 2020, and Thailand is projected to be lowest only in 2030 and 2040. Malaysia is also forecast to reach about 84% in 2040, not 81% (81% is approximately its 2030 figure). More precise reporting of these turning points and forecast values would make the summary more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised into a clear introduction, overview and two detail paragraphs. The grouping of Malaysia and the Philippines, followed by Thailand and Indonesia, makes the comparisons easy to follow, and transitions such as “Looking first” and “Turning to the remaining categories” guide the reader through the data. The sequence within each paragraph is generally chronological. Some linking is slightly repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “after which” and “Similarly/Likewise,” and the overview’s reference to “towards the end” is not sufficiently precise about the change in ranking. Varying the transitions and using clearer references to the final observed year versus the forecast years would make the progression more exact and cohesive.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for describing trends, including “projections,” “gradually,” “slight dip,” “recovered,” “surpassing” and “climb.” These choices help communicate the main movements, and the meaning is generally clear. However, some expressions are imprecise or unnatural for a graph report: “highest number of people in the nation” should describe the highest proportion, while “least amount of citizens” is an awkward way to refer to the lowest percentage. “The figure for” is repeated, and “stated at” is an incorrect word choice for a starting value. Aim for more precise collocations such as “urban population share,” “stood at” and “the lowest proportion.” Check spelling as well: “whch” appears in the final paragraph.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including time clauses and relative clauses, as in “after which it also continued to grow steadily until 1990.” Most sentences remain understandable, and the longer descriptions show an attempt to vary sentence structure. Some grammatical errors persist, however. In the overview, “Thailand became … and also is predicted” mixes past and present forms awkwardly; use “became … and is predicted” or describe the forecast consistently. The phrase “until 1990, which it reached” needs a relative construction such as “when it reached.” In “the figure for Thailand … also is predicted,” the adverb placement is unnatural, and “Indonesia stated” should be “Indonesia started.” Breaking up a few long sentences would also help maintain control of tense and clause structure.

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