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 image of line graph comprises the significant information regarding the ratio of the population in different Asian countries living in cities over decades of 1970 to 2040.

Overall, if we look closely it is clearly seen that x axis show years while y axis gives percentage of total populution. The farmost value is of Philippines on the other hand, the lowest value is of Indonesia in 1970.

The percentage of Philippines had highest about 32% in 1970 as compared to Malaysia which had 30%.The ratio of Philippines rose up to 49% in 1990 while Malaysia sttod at 45% in 1990. Furthermore, dramatically increase is seen in Philippines till 2040 and it goes to 86% approximately whereas, a slightly plumt had occured to Malaysia untill 2010. Secondly, it rose up to 58% in 2040.

The proportion of Indosia had 12% in 1970 and 19% of Thailand. The percentages of both surge to 28% and 30% in 1990. The sudden increase is seen in 2000 of Indonesia till 2040. Similarly, Thailand shows no change till 2020 after that period it increases to 50% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response identifies the general subject and includes some relevant comparisons, such as the Philippines and Malaysia in 1970 and the lower starting figures for Indonesia and Thailand. However, the overview is unclear and partly inaccurate: the Philippines is not the “farmost value,” and Indonesia, rather than the Philippines, has the lowest figure in 1970. Several key trends and figures are misreported. Malaysia rises steadily to about 84% by 2040, not 58%, while the Philippines reaches only about 56%, not 86%. The response also says Thailand shows “no change” to 2020, although it increases gradually. To improve, give a clear overview of the contrasting trajectories and select accurate, representative figures for each country.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure: an introduction, a brief overview, and two paragraphs comparing countries. It also uses linking expressions such as “Furthermore,” “Secondly,” and “Similarly,” which help signal relationships. However, progression is uneven because the overview does not clearly summarise the main trends, and some comparisons are difficult to follow. For example, “a slightly plumt had occured to Malaysia untill 2010” is followed by “Secondly, it rose up to 58%,” leaving the subject and sequence unclear. Grouping the countries by their overall patterns and using clearer references would make the report easier to follow. Avoid connectors that do not accurately show the relationship between ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some task-related vocabulary, including “percentage,” “proportion,” “rose,” and “surge,” and attempts more formal phrasing. However, the range is limited and several word choices, collocations, and spellings are inaccurate, sometimes making the meaning difficult to interpret. Examples include “farmost value,” “dramatically increase,” and “slightly plumt”; “ratio” is also not the natural term for the share of a population living in cities. Spelling errors such as “populution,” “sttod,” and “Indosia” are noticeable. Use precise trend language consistently, such as “urban population share,” “increased steadily,” “declined slightly,” and “reached a peak,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

There are attempts to use both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “while,” “whereas,” and “after that period.” However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently in sentence construction, agreement, articles, and punctuation. For example, “x axis show years” lacks an article and subject–verb agreement, while “The percentage of Philippines had highest” has an incorrect verb pattern and missing article. The sentence beginning “Furthermore, dramatically increase is seen” is also structurally faulty. Commas and spacing are inconsistent, including the run-on punctuation around “whereas.” Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build comparisons with complete, controlled clauses.

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