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 illustrates the percentile of population residing in urban areas from 1970 to 2020 in four asian countries including Philippines, malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

Overall, Malaysia can be seen with the most agressive increase in the number of people living in cities. Whereas, phillipines and Thailand experiences fluctuations and Indonesia has the least mass of people shifting to urban areas.

Malaysia experiences a stable increase with 30% of people in 1970 to approximately 45% in 1990 and further rises quickly to almost 75% in 2020. The prediction of Malaysia is a stable rise of upto 80% by 2040. Philippines has a similar starting point as Malaysia but it is noticed to have fluctuations from 1980 to 2010, after which experiencing slight increase by 2020 with a positive prediction in future of almost 55% by 2040.

Thailand and Indonesia move close by with almost similar stable increase of population moving to urban cities in 1970 to 2000 where they both have 30% of population in cities. Ftom that point Indonesia has a sudden increase to approximately 50% in 2020 however Thailand still fluctuates and is predicted to have a rise of almost 45% by 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the broad upward trends and provide a clear overview: Malaysia rises most strongly, while the Philippines fluctuates and Thailand grows more gradually. Several comparisons are supported with figures, including Malaysia’s rise from 30% to about 75% by 2020 and Indonesia’s increase to roughly 50%. However, the overview is not fully accurate: Indonesia does not have the least urbanisation by the end, and its growth is substantial, overtaking the Philippines around 2010. The response also omits the 2030 projections and gives limited detail on the final values for Indonesia and Thailand. The main features are relevant, but some comparisons and forecast details need fuller, more precise coverage.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a coherent overall structure, moving from an introduction and overview to paragraphs comparing Malaysia with the Philippines and then Thailand with Indonesia. This grouping helps the reader follow the main trends, and linking expressions such as “Whereas,” “after which,” and “From that point” show an attempt to connect ideas. At times, however, the connections are awkward or unclear: “Whereas” begins a fragment, and “Thailand and Indonesia move close by” does not clearly explain their relationship. The overview also introduces a comparison that is not developed accurately later. More precise transitions and clearer topic sentences would make the progression smoother and the comparisons easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of trend vocabulary, including “fluctuations,” “stable increase,” “rises quickly,” and “positive prediction,” so the main information is generally understandable. However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing this graph. “Percentile” should be “percentage,” “agressive increase” is not an appropriate collocation, and “least mass of people shifting” is unclear. Phrases such as “move close by” and “urban cities” are also imprecise. Spelling and capitalisation errors, including “phillipines,” “malaysia,” and “Ftom,” further reduce control. Aim for standard chart language and check spelling and country names carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex sentences, including clauses with “after which” and “where,” and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, some sentence structures are incomplete or awkward. “Whereas, phillipines and Thailand experiences fluctuations” is a fragment and also has subject–verb disagreement; “after which experiencing slight increase” lacks a finite verb and an article. There are also tense and agreement inconsistencies, such as “Malaysia experiences” when describing past data and “Thailand … fluctuates.” Punctuation around introductory contrasts is sometimes problematic. Use complete clauses, maintain past tense for historical figures, and check subject–verb agreement and articles.

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