Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-09

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 illustrate the proportion of residents in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall the figures varied considerably through out the period.While malaysia recorded the highest figure,thailand remained the lowest.In addition soem categories experience significant increase while other declined slightly.

to begin with malaysia accounted for 85% making it the highest category.This was followed by indonesia at 60 %.together these two category represented the largest figure through out the period.Turning to the remaining categories philippines stood at around 50% while thailand recorded only 45%.althogh these figures were aomparatively low they displayed noticable changes.

from 1970 and onwards malaysia population increased significantly to reach 85%.By contrast in 1990 philippines population declined slightly after a steady increase, falling from 50% to around 40% till 2010.Meanwhile after 2010 its experienced a slight increase.All other categories experienced noticeable surge in population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

The response identifies the topic and attempts an overview, noting Malaysia’s high figures and changes in the other countries. However, the overview is not accurate: Thailand was not consistently the lowest, since the Philippines was lower in 1970 and 1980, and the Philippines did not decline from 50% to 40% between 1990 and 2010. Several figures are also misplaced: Malaysia reached about 83.5% only in 2040, not at the start, while Indonesia rose to about 64%, not 60% as a final figure. The response is 132 words, below the 150-word minimum. More accurate selection of key trends and supporting figures is needed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has some organisation: it begins with an introduction, gives a brief overview, and then separates details into further paragraphs. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “By contrast,” and “Meanwhile” show an attempt to connect information. However, the progression is difficult to follow because the second paragraph presents figures without a clear time reference, and the final paragraph shifts between periods and countries without consistently explaining the comparisons. Phrases such as “All other categories” are also unclear about which countries or trends are meant. Grouping the data by clear time periods or by country, and using more precise references, would make the account easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

There is a reasonable attempt to use task-related vocabulary, including “proportion,” “accounted for,” “declined,” and “significant increase.” These choices show some range beyond basic description. However, several noticeable spelling and word-choice errors reduce precision, such as “soem,” “althogh,” “aomparatively,” and “noticable.” Some expressions are also awkward or repetitive: “highest category” and “largest figure” do not clearly describe the share of people living in cities, while “surge in population” misrepresents a change in urbanisation percentages. Use accurate terms such as “urban population share” and “rose steadily,” and check spelling and collocations carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast clause beginning “By contrast” and a time clause with “after 2010.” However, grammatical errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences awkward or unclear. For example, “the line graph illustrate” has subject–verb disagreement, and “its experienced” uses an incorrect pronoun form. The sentence beginning “from 1970 and onwards” lacks a clear grammatical structure, while punctuation and spacing are inconsistent, particularly after full stops and commas. Articles and plural forms also need attention, as in “these two category.” Practise accurate sentence patterns for describing trends, then proofread agreement, pronouns, and punctuation.

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