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 graph below illustrates information about the percentages of the population in four Asian countries namely, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, Malaysia showed the highest increase in population whilst Thailand had the lowest population through out the years. All four countries are predicted to reach at its

Malaysia initially started at 30% and is predicted to reach a peak of 80% in 2040 followed by Philippines starting at approximaately 32% and is predicted to increase significantly by 2040.

Other two countries showed a fluctuating trend Indonesia started at 13% in 1970 and is predicted to reach a peak of by 2040 whilst Thailand initially started at 19%

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the graph’s subject and name all four countries, and you attempt an overview by noting Malaysia’s rise and Thailand’s comparatively low figures. However, the report is incomplete and only minimally covers the data: the overview sentence ends “All four countries are predicted to reach at its,” and several later statements also stop before giving the predicted figures. Malaysia is forecast to reach about 83.5%, not 80%; the Philippines’ rise is not quantified, and the final comments on Indonesia and Thailand are unfinished. The claim that Thailand had the lowest population throughout is also inaccurate, since Indonesia was lower in 1970 and 1980. The response is 108 words, below the required 150, which limits coverage of the main trends and comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an opening identifies the graph, followed by an overview and then comments on individual countries. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “whilst,” and “followed by” show some awareness of how to connect information. However, progression is difficult to follow because the overview and several data statements are left unfinished, including “reach at its” and “reach a peak of by 2040.” The final sentence also ends abruptly. The comparison between the countries is not developed into a clear sequence, and “Other two countries” does not clearly connect the preceding information. Complete each sentence and group the historical trends and forecasts in a deliberate order.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant task vocabulary, including “percentages,” “predictions,” “increase,” and “fluctuating trend,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and some choices are imprecise or repetitive: “population” is used where the graph concerns the proportion living in cities, and “reach a peak” is not a suitable description of a forecasted endpoint. There are also noticeable spelling and form errors, such as “approximaately” and “through out,” which reduce accuracy. Use precise terms such as “urban population” or “proportion living in cities,” and vary verbs for trends, for example “rose,” “declined,” and “levelled off.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including the opening sentence and the comparison beginning “Malaysia initially started at 30% … followed by Philippines…”. However, the longer constructions are often incomplete or difficult to control. “All four countries are predicted to reach at its” has no completed complement, while “reach a peak of by 2040” is also structurally unfinished. The phrase “Other two countries showed” is missing a determiner, and “Philippines starting” does not form a complete clause in its context. These errors make parts of the report hard to interpret. Build shorter complete sentences first, checking that each has a subject and finite verb, then add comparisons with accurate clause structure.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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