Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The line graph illustrates the data about the percentage of population in four different Asian countries that living in cities between 1970 and 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the population of all four Asian countries increased significantly throughout the period, but Malaysia had the highest percentage of total population, while Thailand had the smallest share throughout the period.

Looking first at Malaysia and Indonesia, Malaysia increased from 30% in 1970 to 40% in 1980, while it slightly rose to around 45% in 1990, afterwards it climb up steadily to 60% in 2000, and in next two decades it futher increased to approximately 75%, moreover it is also expected that the population of Malaysia reached to 80% in 2030 and around 82% in 2040. Turning to the Indonesia that was at 12% in the begining, afterwards it slightly rose to 16% in 1980, while it further increased to almost 23% in 1990 and 30% in 2000, while in next two decades it rose steadily to around 42% in 2010 and 50% in 2020, and also predicted that it further increased to 60% in 2030 and approximately 64% in 2040.

Turning to the remaining countries, in begining year Thailand was stood at 19%, while it slightly rose to 22% in 1980 and 30% in 1990, afterwards in next three decades it was almsot remained relatively stable at 30%, but also predicted that the population of Thailand may be increased to 40% in 2030 and around 49% in 2040. In contrast, Philippines was around 30% in 1970 and 1980, afterwards it increased steadily to around 49% in 1990, and in next two decade it was declined to 42%, and in 2020 it was almost remained same. In addition aslo expected population of Philippines increased slightly to 51% in 2030 and around 55% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover all four countries and include a clear overview: Malaysia has the highest urban share, while Thailand is generally the lowest. The response also reports the main rises and the contrasting pattern in the Philippines, including its dip after 1990, so the key features are recognisable. Several figures are close to the chart, but some are less accurate: for example, the Philippines reaches about 48% in 1990 rather than 49%, and Thailand is around 23.5% in 1980 rather than 22%. The overview also overstates that every country increased significantly throughout, since the Philippines declined between 1990 and 2010 and Thailand changed little for several decades. More precise comparisons and a more qualified overview would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a coherent overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by two body paragraphs grouping Malaysia with Indonesia and then Thailand with the Philippines. This makes the country-by-country information easy to locate, and phrases such as “Looking first” and “Turning to the remaining countries” signal the structure. However, the long sentences often join several dates and trends with repeated “while,” “afterwards,” and “and,” making the progression feel mechanical. In the final paragraph, “In contrast” does not clearly explain the relationship between Thailand and the Philippines. Use shorter sentences to separate major stages, and choose linking expressions that show a precise comparison or contrast.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of trend vocabulary, including “increased,” “declined,” “steadily,” “relatively stable,” and “predicted,” which allows you to describe the main movements. However, the range is not consistently controlled, and some phrases are awkward or imprecise, such as “the population … reached to 80%” and “was stood at.” Repetition of “slightly rose” and “further increased” also limits flexibility. There are noticeable spelling errors, including “begining,” “futher,” “almsot,” and “aslo,” which reduce the accuracy of the report. Aim for natural collocations and check spelling carefully; precise verbs such as “rose,” “climbed,” “levelled off,” and “was projected to reach” would help.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt complex sentences to connect changes across several years, and the overall meaning is usually understandable. However, many of these sentences contain errors in verb forms, articles, or sentence construction. Examples include “that living in cities,” “it climb up steadily,” “in begining year Thailand was stood,” and “it was declined to 42%.” The repeated use of “while” to connect clauses also creates awkward structures, and several sentences run on through multiple stages without clear punctuation. Practise accurate past-tense forms and simpler clause boundaries—for example, “the figure climbed steadily” and “it then declined”—before combining ideas. More consistent control of these basic patterns would make the complex sentences clearer.

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