Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-11

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 6.0)

The line graph illustrates the proportion of four Asian countries population living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040. Units are measured in a percentage.

Overall, it is clear that Malaysia had the highest proportion of population, whereas Thailand recorded the lowest share. The figure of Philippines slightly fluctuated between the period. Figure of Indonesia showed inclined ratio over the period.

Looking first at the population of Malaysia in 1970, the figure stood at 30%. It then increased to 40% in 1980. After that, it continued to rise, reaching 80% in the final year. At the beginning years, the population of people lived in Philippines was around 31% to 45% and then slightly fluctuated between the period. By the end of the period, it had reached to 50%.

On the other hand, the proportion of people lived in Indonesia was approximately 14% in 1970. It then rose gradually from 1980 to 2030. In the final year, the figure peaked at 60%. Around 19% of people preferred to live in Thailand in starting years and then remained stable around 25%, after that the figure reached a high of 45% in the final year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You provide a clear introduction and an overview identifying Malaysia as the highest and Thailand as the lowest, and you report several relevant trends. However, the overview is not fully accurate across the whole period: Thailand is lowest at the start, but Malaysia is highest only from 1980 onward; the Philippines is highest in 1970. Some figures and descriptions also need closer checking. For example, Indonesia reaches about 64%, not 60%, in 2040, while Thailand reaches about 50%, not 45%. The Philippines rises to around 48% in 1990, then falls before recovering, rather than simply fluctuating between 31% and 45%. Include the key comparisons and distinguish the historical data from the forecasts more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs grouping the countries. This makes the main information reasonably easy to follow. Linking phrases such as “Overall,” “Looking first,” and “On the other hand” help signal progression, although the latter does not introduce a clear contrast between the two countries discussed. Some references are also unclear, particularly “the figure” and “the period,” which can make it difficult to tell which country or years are meant. The country-by-country organisation is workable, but comparisons between series are limited. To improve, use clearer references and organise details around shared patterns or notable contrasts, while keeping the forecast years distinct.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “proportion,” “increased,” “rose gradually,” “fluctuated,” and “reached.” These choices communicate the general trends, but several expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, which limits precision. For instance, “Figure of Indonesia showed inclined ratio” is not idiomatic, and “population of people lived in Philippines” is an awkward way to describe the urban share. “Preferred to live” also suggests a choice or preference that the graph does not show. Aim for accurate collocations and consistent terms such as “urban population” or “the proportion living in cities.” This would make the report more concise and appropriately formal without requiring more elaborate vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple sentences and some longer structures, and the main meaning is generally understandable. However, there are some recurring grammatical errors in articles, agreement, and sentence construction. For example, “four Asian countries population” needs a possessive or a different structure, while “the figure of Philippines” is missing an article before the country name. In “the population of people lived in Philippines,” the clause needs a grammatical form such as “people living in the Philippines.” The phrase “had reached to 50%” also uses an unnecessary preposition after “reached.” Review article use, participle clauses, and verb patterns, and check that each sentence has a clear grammatical subject. More accurate control of these patterns would strengthen the otherwise understandable account.

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