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 graph illustrates data about the percentage of the population of Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia living in cities between 1970 and 2020.

Overall, population in cities experienced upward pattern with the years. However, Malaysia's populationin cities reached at peak by the end of the period. Philippines showed some fluctuation until 2010 and than increased.

Looking at the details, Indonesia accounted for almost 10.2% in 1970 and gradually increased and reached at almost 60% in 2040. Thailand population grew from around 10.9% to 40.5% in the given period.

Philippines proportion rose from around 30.2% to 40.5% until 1990 before slightly dropping to 40.4% in 2000 and 40% in 2010. After that, it gradually grew to 50% in 2040. Malaysia population in cities were 30% in 1970 and significantly increased to 80% and reached at peak in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the four countries and give an overview of general growth, noting Malaysia’s high endpoint and the Philippines’ fluctuation. However, the overview is incomplete: it does not highlight that Malaysia was highest by 2040, while Indonesia showed the strongest sustained rise and overtook the Philippines around 2010. Several figures are inaccurate: Indonesia began at about 14%, not 10.2%, and reached about 64%, rather than almost 60%; Thailand started at 18%, not 10.9%. The Philippines was about 48% in 1990 and 45.5% in 2000, rather than 40.5% and 40.4%. The response is also 13 words below the required minimum. Add accurate key comparisons and enough detail to cover the main trends more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and paragraphs describing the countries. This gives the reader a basic route through the information, and phrases such as “Looking at the details” signal a move into data. However, the progression is limited because the figures are presented country by country without enough comparison between the lines. The overview also repeats general upward movement rather than organising the main contrasts. Some linking is awkward or unclear, as in “until 2010 and than increased,” and the final Malaysia sentence combines several points without clear punctuation. Grouping countries by contrasting trends and using clearer links between periods would make the organisation more coherent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “percentage,” “proportion,” “fluctuation,” and “gradually increased,” so the topic is generally clear. However, the range is limited and some word combinations are unnatural or imprecise. For example, “population in cities” is repeated where “urban population” or “proportion living in cities” would be more natural, and “reached at peak” is not an appropriate collocation. “Accounted for” is also less suitable for describing a percentage trend here. There are noticeable form and spacing issues, including “populationin” and “than” where “then” is intended. Aim for precise trend verbs and natural collocations, while checking spelling and word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more developed sentences, and the response is usually understandable. However, errors in sentence structure and grammatical forms are frequent enough to make some statements awkward. Examples include “Malaysia's population in cities reached at peak,” where the verb pattern is faulty, and “Malaysia population in cities were 30%,” which has problems with the possessive/article and subject–verb agreement. The sentence “Philippines proportion rose … before slightly dropping” also needs an article or possessive form. Punctuation is inconsistent, particularly in the final sentence, where the 1970 figure and later increase run together. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, articles and verb patterns, then proofread each sentence.

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