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 line graph reveals data about the proportion of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040. Overall, it can be seen that Malaysia has the highest percentage of population among other three cities in future.

Now, turning to the details, Malaysia accounts at 30% population in 1970, which predicted will rose to nearly 85% in 2040. Furthermore, Philippines had just above 30% population initially, which rose and then fall from 45% to 40% in 2010. Then, it predicted it will increase upto 60% in 2040. Thialand had under 20% population in 1970, which increase to nearly 28% in 1990 and remains constant from 2000 to 2020. in 2040, it will rise upto above 40%. Indonesia had the lowest population in starts. Then, it gradually increases to 50% in 2020. It will rose at 55% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the general subject and report several relevant trends, including Malaysia’s rise and Indonesia’s growth from the lowest starting point. However, the overview is incomplete: it says Malaysia leads in the future but does not summarise the contrasting overall patterns, such as Indonesia’s strong rise or the Philippines’ fluctuation. Some figures are inaccurate: Thailand is about 30–34% from 1990 to 2020, not nearly 28% in 1990, and is not constant throughout; Indonesia is projected to reach about 64%, rather than 55%, in 2040. The Philippines is forecast at roughly 56%, not 60%. The response is also 21 words below the 150-word minimum, limiting the detail provided.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable introduction followed by a sequence of country-by-country details, and linking expressions such as “Furthermore,” “Then,” and “Overall” help signal relationships. However, the body reads as a list rather than a clearly organised comparison, and there is no distinct, sufficiently informative overview of the main trends. Some transitions are awkward or repetitive, while the shift between past data and forecasts is not always clearly signposted. For example, the Philippines and Thailand descriptions move quickly from historical figures to predictions without consistently distinguishing the periods. Grouping countries by notable patterns and using clearer forecast transitions would make the progression easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “proportion,” “predictions,” “gradually increases,” and “initially,” so the reader can understand the topic and broad movements. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are noticeably inaccurate, such as “Malaysia accounts at 30% population” and “highest percentage of population among other three cities.” The latter also confuses countries with cities. Spelling errors such as “Thialand” and the informal or non-standard “upto” reduce accuracy. Aim for precise expressions such as “the share of the population living in urban areas” and “rose to,” and check country names and standard written forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some longer sentences using relative clauses and time relationships, for example, “which rose and then fall from 45% to 40% in 2010.” However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently in verb forms, sentence construction, and articles. Examples include “which predicted will rose,” “it predicted it will increase,” and “It will rose,” where the tense and verb forms are faulty. There are also problems with sentence boundaries and capitalisation, as in “in 2040,” after a full stop. These errors sometimes make the intended timing or relationship less clear. Practise accurate past-tense descriptions and consistent future forms such as “is projected to rise.”

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