Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The line graphs illustrate the proportions of the population dwelling in the cities of four Asian countries - Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia - from 1970 to 2020. There are also the future predictions for population from 2030 to 2040.

Overall, the graphs demonstrate a significant increase in the population of every country from 1970 to 2040. Malaysia is projected to have the highest population by 2040, followed by Indonesia.

In 1970, Indonesia's population was the lowest of around 12%, but by 2020 its population had crossed Thailand and the Philippines, growing to almost 60%. Additionally, Thailand showed a mere increase of 10% in 2020 and is expected to peak at 50% by 2040.

Moreover, the Philippines and Malaysia started at same positions. Initially, the Philippines rose from 31% to around 50% in 1990, but in 2010 it dropped to 40%, showing a little increase. Malaysia's population, on the other hand, increased dramatically to 75% and is projected to peak at 80% by 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the overall upward trend and correctly note that Malaysia is expected to lead by 2040, with Indonesia second. However, several key details are inaccurate or unclear, which limits how fully the graph is reported. Indonesia reaches about 52% in 2020, not almost 60%, and it overtakes the Philippines but not Thailand, whose figure is about 34%. Thailand’s rise by 2020 is around 16 percentage points, rather than 10%, and its 2040 value is close to 50%. The Philippines falls from about 48% in 1990 to roughly 43% in 2010, while Malaysia rises to about 84% by 2040. Include clearer comparisons across the period and distinguish actual data from forecasts.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs grouping the countries. The progression from broad trends to country-specific details is easy to follow, and linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Additionally,” and “on the other hand” help connect points. This is a solid foundation, with some flexibility in how information is grouped. However, the comparisons are not always clearly connected: the claim that Indonesia crossed both Thailand and the Philippines by 2020 is confusing, and the final paragraph moves between the Philippines and Malaysia without consistently comparing their figures at matching dates. Organise the body around clearer comparisons and use references such as “by contrast” or “whereas” to make relationships precise.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a suitable range of vocabulary for describing trends, including “proportions,” “projected,” “rose,” “dropped,” and “increased dramatically.” These choices generally communicate the main movements, and the language is varied enough to avoid excessive repetition. Some word choices and collocations are less precise for this graph, however. “Population” can suggest the number of people rather than the percentage living in cities; “urban proportion” or “share of the population living in cities” would be clearer. “Dwelling in the cities” is awkward in this context, and “peak” is not ideal for a forecasted endpoint that is simply the highest value shown. Aim for precise, natural trend language, especially when describing percentages and projected figures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

You demonstrate a useful mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including the contrast structure “Malaysia’s population, on the other hand, increased dramatically…” and the time clause “but by 2020…”. Most sentences are clear, and punctuation is generally controlled. A few grammatical inaccuracies remain. In “the Philippines and Malaysia started at same positions,” the article “the” is needed before “same positions”; “from 1970 to 2020” in the opening also does not cover the forecast period discussed in the response, so the time framing should be extended to 2040. The sentence about Indonesia crossing other countries is grammatically understandable but structurally ambiguous because the comparison is not clearly expressed. More consistently accurate articles and precise comparative sentence patterns would strengthen control.

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