Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The line graph illustrates the proportion of urban populations in four Asian nations; the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia from 1970 to 2020, along with projections up to 2040.

Overall, all four countries display a significant upward trend in urbanization over the 70-year period. Malaysia is projected to experience the most dramatic growth, remaining the most urbanized nation by 2040, whereas Thailand is expected to consistently maintain the lowest figures.

In 1970, the Philippines and Malaysia had the highest proportions of city dwellers, at around 32% and 30% respectively. While the figure for the Philippines peaked at roughly 48% in1990 before experiencing a brief drop and a slow recovery, Malaisia's urbanization grew rapidly, surpassing all other nations in 1990 to reach over 75% by 2020. By 2040, Malaysia's urban population is forecasted to reach over 80% while the Philippines is projected to reach approximately 55%.

Looking at Indonesia and Thailand, both started with smaller urban populations in1970 at roughtly 14% and 18%. Indonesia experienced remarkable acceleration after 1990, over taking both Thailand and the Philippines by 2010 to reach 50% in 2020. It is predicted to reach about 65% in 2040. In contrast, Thailand's growth was much steadier, rising to around 33% by 2020 and expected to finish at 50% by the en of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The response covers the main features and makes relevant comparisons across all four countries. The overview identifies the broad rise in urbanisation and correctly notes Malaysia’s projected lead by 2040; the body also reports the Philippines’ peak around 1990 and Indonesia’s strong later growth. Most figures are close to the chart. However, Malaysia is said to reach “over 75% by 2020” after surpassing the others in 1990, which conflates two stages: it was about 45.5% in 1990 and reached 76% in 2020. The claim that Thailand would “consistently maintain the lowest figures” is also too broad, since Indonesia was lower in 1970. These are limited inaccuracies within an otherwise well-selected and developed account.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The four-paragraph structure is effective: an introduction, a clear overview, and two body paragraphs grouping the higher and lower starting figures. Information generally progresses chronologically, and transitions such as “Overall,” “While,” and “In contrast” help signal relationships. The grouping is not entirely consistent, however: the second body paragraph begins with Indonesia and Thailand but then compares Indonesia with both Thailand and the Philippines, while the first paragraph also discusses the Philippines. Some linking is therefore slightly less precise than the otherwise clear organisation. Improve cohesion by keeping each comparison group stable or using explicit references when bringing another country into the discussion. The progression remains easy to follow, but these small issues prevent the connections from feeling fully seamless.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

There is a useful range of task-appropriate vocabulary, including “proportion,” “urbanization,” “projections,” “peaked,” “acceleration,” and “forecasted.” These choices allow the writer to describe trends and comparisons with reasonable flexibility. Some collocations and word forms are less controlled: “urban populations” is not quite as precise as “urban population share,” and “experience the most dramatic growth” overstates Malaysia’s change relative to Indonesia. There are also spelling slips, including “Malaisia,” “roughtly,” “over taking,” and “en.” These do not prevent understanding, but they reduce the accuracy and polish expected at this level. Use precise trend language and proofread spelling and compound forms before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The response uses a good variety of sentence structures, including complex clauses with “While,” “before,” and “whereas,” as well as passive prediction forms such as “is projected to reach.” Most sentences are clear and grammatically controlled. A few errors remain: the semicolon after “nations” incorrectly separates the introductory list from the sentence, and “in1990” and “in1970” lack spaces after the preposition. The phrase “both started with smaller urban populations … at roughly 14% and 18%” is understandable, though the paired figures could be attached more clearly to each country. These are occasional lapses rather than a persistent problem. Continue using varied structures, while checking punctuation and making comparisons grammatically explicit.

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