Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The line graph illustrates the proportion of the population living in cities of four Asian countries from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040. Overall, it is quite evident that Malaysia and Indonesia experienced the highest population growth over the 5 decades, while Phillipines and Thiland experienced the lowest population growth. Moreover, in the next 2 decades the patterns will remain similar.

To begin, In 1970, Malaysia accounted for 30% of total population. This proportion was twice than Indonesia whose population was just about 15%. In the next 5 decades, both countries experienced significant rise in which the population became just below 80% in Malaysia and 50% in Indonesia. Two population of other two countries also rise steadily and became just over 40% in Phillipines and approximately 20% in Thailand.

However, it is predicted that all four countries will experience the similar rise in the population in which the population in Malaysia will be 80%, 60% in Indonesia respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the chart’s subject and provide an overview, noting that Malaysia and Indonesia rose substantially and that the general pattern is expected to continue. However, the response only partially reports the main features: it gives little account of the Philippines’ fluctuation or Thailand’s gradual rise, and the forecast is left incomplete after “60% in Indonesia respectively.” The claim that the Philippines and Thailand had the lowest growth is broadly supported, but the comparison would be clearer with their actual end-period figures. Also, “in the next 2 decades the patterns will remain similar” is too general to explain the projected differences, especially Malaysia’s continued lead and Indonesia’s rise above the Philippines. Select and compare the key trends more fully, including the forecast for all four countries.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction and overview are followed by a paragraph on historical figures and a final paragraph on predictions. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin” and “However” help signal movement between sections. However, the progression is weakened because the final paragraph is very brief and does not complete its comparison, while the historical paragraph groups countries without a consistent comparison across the period. Some linking is also mechanical or unclear: “in which” is repeated, and “Malaysia will be 80%, 60% in Indonesia respectively” makes the relationship between figures and countries difficult to follow. Organise the body around clear comparisons and use references and connectors that make each figure’s subject explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “proportion,” “predictions,” “accounted for,” and “experienced significant rise,” so the topic is generally clear. The range is nevertheless limited, with repeated use of “population,” “rise,” and “countries,” and several word-choice or collocation problems reduce precision. For example, “population growth” suggests an increase in population size rather than the share living in cities; “twice than” is not a natural comparison; and “the similar rise” is awkward. The country names “Phillipines” and “Thiland” are also misspelled. Use more precise terms such as “urbanisation” or “the proportion living in cities,” and vary verbs with accurate options such as “increased,” “climbed,” and “remained relatively stable.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

There is some variety in sentence forms, including a relative clause in “countries … whose population was just about 15%” and a contrast introduced by “while.” Meaning is usually recoverable, but errors occur in both simple and more complex constructions. For example, “This proportion was twice than Indonesia” has a faulty comparative structure, and “Two population of other two countries also rise steadily and became” contains problems with number agreement and tense consistency. The final sentence also lacks a clear grammatical link between the two forecast figures. Capitalisation after “To begin,” and punctuation around the concluding comparison need attention. Practise accurate comparative patterns and maintain past tense for historical data and future forms for predictions.

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