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 chart illustrates the information about the proportion of the population in four Asian countries. Namely the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia living in towns from 1970 to 2020 with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, it is clear that the percentage of the population living in cities is expected to increased in all the years. While figure for Malaysia rose rapidly. While there is fluctuations in the percentage of Philippines. Percentage of Thailand and Indonesian climbed considerably.

At the first glance, figure for Malaysia rose rapidly to 75% in the year 2020, which was 30% in 1970. From 2020 to 2040, this figure expected to reach by 80%. Similarly, In Philippines, the proportion of population was at 30%, which stood to 45% with fluctuations by the year 2020. In 2030 and 2040 this figure is expected to reach at 50% and then 55%, respectively.

Turning to remaining details, In 1970, the figure for Thailand was 20%, which is expected to reach by 45% in 2040. The percentage of Indonesia was 15% by the year 1970. Before inclined to 40% excepted in 2040, it was reach at 30% and 35% by the year 2020 and 2030, respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the subject, time span and forecast period, and your overview notes the broad rise in urban populations alongside fluctuations in the Philippines. You also select relevant figures, such as Malaysia rising from about 30% to 75% by 2020 and Indonesia reaching roughly 52% in 2020. However, the overview is not fully accurate: Malaysia rises strongly, but Indonesia also increases substantially, while Thailand’s growth is comparatively gradual until the forecast period. Some details are unclear or inaccurate: the Philippines is about 32% in 1970, not 30%, and Indonesia is around 43% in 2010, a key point omitted from the account. The forecast for Indonesia is also misreported as 40% in 2040 rather than about 64%. Select and compare the main trends more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and two detail paragraphs. Grouping Malaysia and the Philippines before turning to Thailand and Indonesia gives the reader a basic route through the information. However, progression within the overview is weakened by repeated “While” clauses, and “While there is fluctuations” does not connect smoothly to the preceding sentence. Some transitions are mechanical or awkward, including “At the first glance” and “Turning to remaining details.” The final paragraph also moves between past data and forecasts without clearly signalling the sequence, making the Indonesia figures difficult to follow. Use clearer comparisons and time markers, and make each paragraph’s focus explicit so that the relationships between countries and periods are easier to track.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a suitable range of task-related terms, including “proportion,” “percentage,” “predictions,” “rose rapidly” and “climbed considerably.” This allows you to describe the main movements, and the meaning is generally understandable. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or repetitive: “living in towns” is less precise than “living in cities,” while “reach by 80%” and “reach at 50%” do not express the intended forecast naturally. “Before inclined” is also unclear, and “excepted” appears to be an incorrect choice where you mean “expected.” Aim for precise trend language and vary the verbs used for increases, decreases and stability. More accurate collocations would make the account clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex forms, including a relative clause in “which was 30% in 1970” and a contrast in “While there is fluctuations.” However, errors in verb forms, agreement, articles and sentence construction are noticeable and sometimes make relationships unclear. For example, “is expected to increased” should use the infinitive “increase,” and “there is fluctuations” requires plural agreement. In “this figure expected to reach,” the passive auxiliary is missing; “it was reach at 30%” also has an incorrect verb form. Capitalisation after commas is inconsistent, as in “Similarly, In Philippines.” Practise accurate forecast structures (“is expected to reach”) and check agreement and tense choices while retaining your attempts at varied sentences.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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