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 proportion of population living in cities for four different countries, from the period of 1970 to 2020.

Overall, all four countries can be seen to have growing proportion of their population living in their respective cities throughout the period. Malaysian cities were observed to be home for high proprtion of their countrys population, than any other country. However, the urban population as a proportion of whole population grew with slower rate, during the 50 years period concerned.

Firstly, the Malaysian urbanisation rate was at 30% in 1970, and by the end of 2020 it had reached significantly higher at almost 75%, and for the period until 2040 it is projected to further jump and reach at a percentage of over 80% of whole country's population. Moreover, Indonesia's urban population as a percentage of its total population was at nearly 13% in the start of 1970, and this percentage grew steadily every single year, thereby this figure noticeable figure of 50% by the end of 2020. The indonesia is likely to see a further hike in its urban population as its projected to reach 60% by 2040.

Secondly, the Philippines' percentage of city residents out of total population in 1970 recorded to be a bit higher than 30%, but by the year 1990 the urban population made nearly 50% of country's population, before dropping to 40% in 2010 period. Later in the period, by 2020 the philippines citizens headed more towards urban regions as this can be seen, as the urban population accounted for 45% approximately in 2020, and by 2040 the figure is expected to reach above 50%.

Lastly, Thailand less than 20% population living in its cities in 1970, but by the 1990 this proption rose to 30% surpassing the indonesia's rate of over 20% approximately. However, this urbanisation rate slowe down, as the urban population accounted for only 32% rougly by 2020, and for a 20 years later date it is projected to reach nearly 50%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response covers all four countries and gives a clear overview of the main patterns: Malaysia has the highest urban share, while all four countries rise overall. It also reports useful comparisons and turning points, especially the Philippines’ rise to 1990, subsequent decline, and later recovery, and Indonesia’s strong growth. Most figures are close to the chart, though the overview’s claim that growth was slower over the 50-year period is unclear and does not accurately describe the overall upward movement. Some details are also imprecise: Malaysia is about 76% in 2020, not almost 75%, and Thailand is around 33.5%, rather than 32%. A more precise overview and careful checking of selected figures would strengthen an otherwise well-supported summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction and overview are followed by country-focused paragraphs, with signposting such as “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “Lastly.” The sequence is easy to follow, and comparisons—for example, Thailand surpassing Indonesia around 1990—help connect the data. This shows coherent organisation, but some linking is mechanical, and the country-by-country approach sometimes produces long sentences with several stages joined together. Phrases such as “as this can be seen” interrupt the flow rather than clarify a relationship, while “this figure noticeable figure” makes the reference difficult to follow. Use fewer formulaic transitions and make each sentence’s comparison or time sequence explicit to achieve smoother progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

There is an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “urbanisation rate,” “projected,” “proportion,” and “accounted for,” which allows the writer to describe trends and forecasts. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward: “home for high proportion,” “jump and reach at a percentage,” and “headed more towards urban regions” are not natural ways to report this data. Spelling and word-form slips, including “proprtion,” “proption,” “slowe,” and “indonesia,” also reduce precision. The meaning remains generally clear, but more consistent control of collocation and spelling is needed. Prefer concise, conventional trend language such as “rose to,” “is forecast to reach,” and “the share of the population living in cities.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response attempts a mix of simple and complex structures, including clauses with “before,” “thereby,” and “as,” and most of the trends remain understandable. Some grammatical errors persist, particularly with articles, agreement, and sentence construction. For example, “all four countries can be seen to have growing proportion” needs an article and a more natural structure, while “Thailand less than 20% population living in its cities” is missing a main verb. The sentence beginning “Moreover, Indonesia’s urban population…” also becomes tangled around “thereby this figure noticeable figure.” Tense and reference are not always controlled consistently in descriptions of past data and projections. Build complex sentences around a clear subject and verb, and check articles and agreement.

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