Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The line graph compares the average percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, all the asian cities showed an upward trend over the period. Philippines,s population increased considerably, meanwhile the proportion of people living in thailand recorded relatively lowest as compared to the malaysia and indonesia.

In 1970, approximately 29% number of residents lived in philippines city. The figure then gradually increased to 76% in 2020, before reaching to a peak of 84% in 2040.

In contrast, number of individuals lived in the malasia city was represented 31% in 1970. The figure grew slightly to 48% in 1990 before dropping to 43% in 2020 and is likely to expected around 54% in the future years.However, the proportion of people in thailand city was constitued 19% in 1970. The figure relatively increased and will reach to a peak of 42% in 2024. Lastly, Indonesia population is around 12% in 1970. The figures soared gradually to 52% in 2020 and is expected to be 63% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response identifies the general subject and attempts an overview, but it does not accurately report the graph’s main features, which is why the account remains minimal. The statement that the Philippines rose to 76% in 2020 and 84% in 2040 actually describes Malaysia approximately; the Philippines was about 45.5% and 55.5% at those points. The Malaysia paragraph then gives figures that largely belong to the Philippines, while Thailand’s projected peak is given as 42% in 2024 rather than about 49.5% in 2040. The overview also incorrectly says the Philippines increased considerably throughout, overlooking its rise and fall. Check each series against the graph, then select accurate comparisons, such as Malaysia ending highest and Indonesia showing strong growth.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs presenting figures for the countries. Connectors such as “Overall,” “In contrast,” and “Lastly” help signal relationships. However, the progression is difficult to follow because the country figures appear to be assigned to the wrong series, and the Malaysia and Thailand information is crowded into one paragraph. “Meanwhile” and “However” do not clearly express the relationships between the points that follow them. Group the information more deliberately—for example, discuss the highest and fastest-growing series together—and use clear topic sentences and references so readers can track which country each figure describes.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses some task-relevant vocabulary, including “proportion,” “upward trend,” “increased,” and “dropped,” and it attempts to vary expressions for population figures. However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “average percentage,” “Philippines city,” “number of individuals lived,” and “was constitued.” Country names are also inconsistently spelled or capitalised (“malasia,” “thailand,” “Indonesia population”), which reduces precision. Some phrases, including “reach to a peak” and “is likely to expected,” show limited control of collocation. Use standard terms such as “urban population” and “the proportion living in cities,” and choose verbs that precisely describe the trend, such as “rose,” “fell,” or “is projected to reach.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast structure beginning “In contrast” and a sentence using “before.” However, grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make relationships unclear. Examples include “increased to 76%” without a clear subject, “is likely to expected,” and “will reach to a peak,” where verb forms and patterns are faulty. There are also problems with articles, possessives, and sentence boundaries, as in “Philippines,s population” and the run-together “future years.However.” Aim for a reliable sentence pattern such as “The proportion in [country] rose from X to Y,” and check verb forms, punctuation, and agreement before adding more complex clauses.

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