Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The line graph provides information in context of population perecntage of four Asian countries living in cities between 1970 and 2020. It also gives predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, it can be seen that there is a significant increase in population of all countries throughout the period with some fluctuations in Philippines and Thailand. It is also notable that all the cities recorded less number of population in the beginning and high number at the end with Malaysia at the top.

Looking at the details, in the year 1970, the population of Indonesia is less in number as compared to other three countries which is only 13 percent. But in 2020 it reached 50 percent makng it higher than Thailand and Philippines which are 30 and 40 percent respectively.

On the other hand, Malaysia had 30 percent poulation in the beginning after that there is dramatic increase in population of that country which became 75 percent in 2020. It can also be noted that the prediction of 2020 and 2030 also shows increasing trend in population of all four countries.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the overall upward direction and correctly note Malaysia’s leading position by the end, while including some relevant comparisons, such as Indonesia’s rise and Malaysia’s increase. However, the response only partially reports the graph’s main features. The overview says all countries increased, but does not distinguish Malaysia’s strong, sustained growth from the Philippines’ fluctuations or Indonesia’s particularly rapid rise. Some figures and comparisons are inaccurate: Indonesia is about 52% in 2020, while Thailand is about 34% and the Philippines about 46%, rather than 50%, 30% and 40%. The final sentence also refers to predictions for 2020 and 2030, although 2020 is an observed year. Select the key trends more precisely and support them with accurate figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and two detail paragraphs. This gives the reader a basic route through the information, and phrases such as “Overall” and “Looking at the details” signal the stages of the report. However, progression is limited because the details are organised mainly around individual countries rather than clear comparisons across the period. The paragraph beginning “On the other hand” does not establish a strong contrast with the preceding paragraph, and the final sentence introduces forecasts without developing them. Some linking is mechanical, particularly the repeated use of “It can also be noted.” Grouping related trends—for example, Malaysia’s high levels against the other countries, then Indonesia’s catch-up—would make the report more coherent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing a graph, including “significant increase,” “fluctuations,” “dramatic increase” and “prediction.” This shows an attempt to use language beyond basic descriptions. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, which makes parts of the report less clear. “Population” is repeatedly used where “proportion” or “percentage” is intended, and “less number of population” is not a natural collocation. There are also spelling errors, including “perecntage,” “makng” and “poulation.” Aim for precise terms such as “urban population share,” “rose steadily” and “was projected to reach,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including the overview clause “that there is a significant increase” and the comparison beginning “which is only 13 percent.” The main meaning is generally understandable, but grammatical control is uneven. For example, “in the year 1970, the population of Indonesia is less” shifts into the present tense when describing past data, and “after that there is dramatic increase” has problems with tense and article use. The sentence about Indonesia reaching 50 percent also has an unclear comparison structure, making the figures difficult to follow. Use past forms for recorded years and future or projection language for forecast years, and build comparisons with clear subjects and parallel phrasing.

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.