Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The graph illustrates the percentages of the people living in cities in Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia between 1970 and 2040.

Overall, the percentages of urban population increased with the given period. Malaysia reached a peak by the end of the period while Philippines experienced some fluctuations before increasing.

Looking at the details, In 1970, the percentage of urban population in Malaysia was 30% which gradually grew with the years and reached a peak by 2040. Similarly, almost 14% accounted for Indonesia in the initial year and gradually increased with the period and reached 60% by 2040.

The proportion of philippines people was almost 31% in 1970 and rose slightly around 47% in 1990 before dropping to 40.4% in 2000 and 40% in 2010. After that it reached to 50% by 2040. Thialand figure increased from arounf 19 % in the intial year a to 45 % by the end.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the overall upward movement and note two important patterns: Malaysia finishes at the highest level, while the Philippines fluctuates before rising again. You also include figures for all four countries, and most are broadly consistent with the graph. However, some details are inaccurate: Indonesia is reported at 60% in 2040 rather than about 64%, and the Philippines is described as falling to 40.4% and 40% in 2000 and 2010, when the figures are about 45.5% and 42.5%. The overview could also compare the countries more clearly, especially Indonesia’s strong rise and Thailand’s slower growth. Some trends are therefore covered less fully or precisely than others.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview and a paragraph of supporting details. The sequence from the initial year to the end of the period is generally easy to follow, and phrases such as “Similarly” and “After that” help signal relationships between points. However, the body moves between countries without a consistent comparison structure, and several sentences repeat the same pattern of saying a figure “increased” or “reached” a level. The overview’s reference to Malaysia reaching a peak is also not clearly connected to the specific figures that follow. Grouping the countries by their trends, and using clearer comparisons between their endpoints, would make the progression more cohesive.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “percentages,” “urban population,” “fluctuations,” “rose” and “dropping,” so the main trends can be understood. There is some variety in how change is described, but several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, such as “reached a peak by 2040” when describing a projected endpoint and “reached to 50%.” “The proportion of philippines people” is also an awkward way to refer to the urban share of the population. Spelling errors such as “Thialand,” “arounf” and “intial” reduce accuracy. Aim for precise collocations such as “the proportion of the population living in cities” and check country names and common trend vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple and more developed sentence forms, including “Malaysia reached a peak by the end of the period while Philippines experienced some fluctuations before increasing.” Most of the message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors affect accuracy. For example, the introduction needs “the Philippines,” and “the percentage … was 30% which gradually grew” has an unclear relative clause: it is the percentage that increased. In “it reached to 50%,” the verb pattern should be “reached 50%.” The final sentence also contains a confusing sequence, “from arounf 19 % in the intial year a to 45 % by the end.” Use complete, carefully punctuated sentences and check articles, clause structure and verb patterns.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.