Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 given line graph depict the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities over 50 years.

Overall, it is crystal clear that population live in Malaysia had the highest proportion while the figures in thailand are low.

At a first glance, malaysia had the highest proportation of population ranging from 30% to roughly 46% in 1970 to 1990 and than it suddenly roar to 80% after 40 years. It will assigned to over 80% in 2040. Percentage of population living in Philippines was stood at almost 31% in 1970 and slighty increased by 1% in 1980 however it sharply incline to more than 45% in 2000. The figures were decreses to approximately 7-8% in next two years and suddenly roar to roughly 43% to 55% from 2010 to 2040 respectively.

Moving ahead, in first two years, proportation of Thailand population, in 1970 was less than 20% however in next two years it increases to 30%. From 1990 to 2020, increase of hardly 1% had seen whereas from 2020 to 2040 it sharply increased by almost 17 to 18%. The figures of indonesia in 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 were approximately 13%, 15%, 23% and 29% respectively however it considerably incresed to 62% by the end of year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad pattern that Malaysia has the highest urban share and Thailand starts at a low level, and you include figures for all four countries. However, the overview is incomplete: it does not clearly summarise the contrasting growth patterns, and the claim that Thailand’s figures “are low” overlooks its rise by 2040. Several details are inaccurate or unclear. The Philippines reaches about 48% in 1990, not more than 45% in 2000; its decline is from around 45% to 43%, not 7–8%. Malaysia rises to about 84% by 2040, while Indonesia reaches about 64%, rather than 62%. The response therefore reports relevant information but only partially selects and accurately presents the main features. Prioritise a precise overview and check each comparison against the graph.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic structure: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the countries. Sequencing words such as “Overall,” “Moving ahead,” and “however” show an attempt to guide the reader. However, progression is not consistently clear because several sentences combine multiple periods and changes without precise links. For example, the Philippines sentence moves from 1970 to 2000, then refers vaguely to “the next two years,” before giving a 2010–2040 range. “In first two years” is also unclear about which years are meant. Some transitions are mechanical or do not clarify the relationship between figures. Organise each country’s trend chronologically, use exact year references, and make comparisons between countries explicit to create a clearer progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt a range of trend vocabulary, including “proportion,” “sharply,” “increased,” and “approximately,” which is appropriate for describing a graph. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate enough to make the account difficult to follow. Phrases such as “suddenly roar,” “it will assigned,” and “population live in Malaysia” are not natural ways to describe the data. There are also noticeable spelling and word-form errors, including “proportation,” “slighty,” “decreses,” and “incresed.” Use standard graph language consistently, such as “rose,” “fell,” “remained relatively stable,” and “was projected to reach.” Check spelling and choose precise terms rather than forcing dramatic expressions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some longer sentences with contrast clauses, for example, “however in next two years it increases to 30%,” but complex structures are often faulty, and many sentences contain errors in tense, agreement, articles, or sentence construction. Examples include “The given line graph depict,” “population live in Malaysia had,” and “The figures were decreses.” The shifts between past and future are also not controlled: the graph includes projections, but “It will assigned” does not form a correct future construction. Some punctuation and clause boundaries make the meaning harder to follow, particularly in the long Philippines sentence. Practise accurate past-tense descriptions for historical data and forms such as “is projected to reach” for forecasts, while building complex sentences from shorter, correct clauses.

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