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 graph gives information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries; Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, living in cities from 1970 to 2020. It also includes predictions for the future years; from 2030 to 2040. According to the graph, the country which had a largest increase in the number of people living in the cities between the years 1970 and 2020 was Malaysia. While, Philippines had the peak at 1990 and Indonesia in 2010. Thailand and Indonesia had the equal number of people living in cities in the year 200. After that, Indonesia saw an increase in its urban population and Thailand just ha da slight increase. If the countries are ranked according to the increase in the number of people living in the cities, from year 1970 to 2020, the order is: Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand. In the coming years, Malaysia will have the largest population living in the cities, followed by Indonesia and Philippines. Thailand will still remain at the last position of this ranking.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify several relevant features, including Malaysia’s strong rise, the Philippines’ peak around 1990, and Indonesia’s growth after 2000. You also attempt to compare the countries and mention the forecast period. However, the response does not provide a clear, balanced overview of the main trends across all four lines, and some comparisons are inaccurate or unclear. For example, Thailand and Indonesia were approximately equal in 2000, but the year is mistyped as “200”; more importantly, the ranking by increase from 1970 to 2020 is wrong: Indonesia’s rise was greater than Malaysia’s. The forecast comparison also omits the Philippines’ and Thailand’s projected growth. Develop the overview around the contrasting trends and support it with accurate key figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response contains a sequence of related observations, moving from past changes to future predictions, and phrases such as “After that” and “In the coming years” help signal time. However, the ideas are compressed into one paragraph, with no distinct overview or clear grouping of historical trends and forecasts. The repeated ranking statements also make the progression feel list-like rather than analytical, while “While” begins a fragment and “After that” has an unclear reference. Organise the report into a short introduction, an overview, and paragraphs comparing the historical data and projections. Use linking expressions to show meaningful contrasts, rather than relying mainly on chronological transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “predictions,” “peak,” “increase,” and “urban population,” and the meaning is generally understandable. However, the range is limited by repeated use of “number of people living in the cities,” even though the graph measures percentages, not absolute numbers. Some expressions are awkward or imprecise, such as “had the peak at 1990,” “equal number,” and “last position of this ranking.” These choices reduce precision in a data report. Use terms such as “urbanisation rate,” “proportion,” “stood at,” and “ranked lowest,” while varying the language used to describe rises and falls. Check spelling and word forms, including the typo “ha da.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

There are attempts at complex structures, including “If the countries are ranked according to…” and a contrast between Indonesia and Thailand, but sentence patterns are often awkward or incomplete. “While, Philippines had the peak…” is not a complete clause in this context, and the country name needs an article in “the Philippines.” The opening sentence also uses punctuation awkwardly when listing the countries, and “the year 200” is an incomplete date. Tense is mostly appropriate, with past forms for historical data and “will” for forecasts, but control is uneven. Aim for complete, clearly structured sentences and check articles, punctuation, and the grammatical framing of comparisons.

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