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 line graph illustrate the information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the graph clearly illustrate that Malaysia & Indonesia has quickly peaked their reach from begining year without experiencing any fell whereas, Philippines & Thailand population was slightly increased and little went down at mid year then again slightly rose.

In the 1970 the percentage of population of Malaysia was 30% and Indonesia was around 12%. Both countries boomed their population and malaysia reached 60% & Indonesia rose upto around 29% in the 2000. However, the population of Philippines at 1970 was 30% and after 1990 it slightly dropped and slightly went up.

The line graph clearly illustrate that the prediction for population of Malaysia for [redacted phone] is around 82% which is the highest among all countries. Indonesia is the second highest population for [redacted phone] according to prediction which is 60%. However, Thailand and Philippines population prediction is almost at same level which is around 45%-55%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the overall upward movement in Malaysia and Indonesia and note that the Philippines fluctuates, which gives the response a relevant overview. However, some key details are inaccurate or too general: Malaysia did not rise continuously from the start, and the Philippines and Thailand did not both follow the same pattern of a mid-period fall. The figures for Indonesia in 1970 and 2000 are also understated, while the final comparison groups Thailand and the Philippines together despite their different projected values. The response covers the main topic but reports only a limited selection of data and leaves important comparisons underdeveloped. To strengthen it, describe each country’s trajectory more precisely and compare the highest and lowest figures at key dates.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction to an overview and then to details, so the reader can identify its main sections. However, progression within the body is limited: the third paragraph shifts between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines without a clear comparison, and Thailand receives little discussion until the final paragraph. Connectors such as “However” are used, but the relationships they signal are not always clear or accurate. The overview also repeats the idea that the graph “clearly illustrate[s].” Organise the details by meaningful comparisons—for example, the two strongest urbanisation trends and the two lower or fluctuating trends—and use linking phrases to show how the figures relate.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing a graph, including “percentage,” “prediction,” “dropped” and “rose,” and the general meaning is usually understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are unnatural, such as “quickly peaked their reach,” “boomed their population” and “population prediction.” “Peaked” is also unsuitable for a trend that continues to rise, as Malaysia’s does. Repetition of “slightly” and “clearly illustrate” further limits precision. Aim for standard trend language and accurate nouns: describe percentages as rising, falling or fluctuating, and refer to projected urban population shares rather than a country’s “population” when discussing this measure.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast introduced by “whereas” and a sentence beginning “However.” Nevertheless, errors are frequent and sometimes make relationships difficult to follow. For example, “The line graph illustrate” has subject–verb disagreement, while “Malaysia & Indonesia has” should use a plural verb. The phrase “In the 1970” has an incorrect article, and “after 1990 it slightly dropped” has an unclear reference. Sentence boundaries and punctuation are also inconsistent, particularly in the long overview sentence. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, articles with dates, and clear sentence construction. Separating comparisons into shorter sentences would help you control grammar while still showing a range of structures.

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