Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The graph illustrates consolidated population data for individuals residing in cities in four Asian countries (Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia) from 1970 to 2020 along with predictions for the next decades between 2030 to 2040. The data is measured in percentage, and a distinct line graph is drawn for each country under the same chart.

At first glance we can observe an increasing urbanization trend amongst all 4 countries, with Malaysia topping the chart, and Thailand being at the bottom. Initially, Indonesia has the least amount of people residing in cities, however a sharp growth pattern is demonstrated in the later years, which surpasess both Thailand and Philippines. Overall, Malaysia is witnessing an increasing percentage of people preferring city life from the initial to the later years.

Taking a closer look at the graphs of Indonesia and Malaysia, it is apparent that both these countries follow a similar growth pattern, which begins to spike after the year 2000. Indonesia accounts for around 15% of the population living in cities in the year 1970 and Malaysia on the other hand is almost double in 1970. A slow and gradual climb is witnessed from 1970 to 2000 where Malaysia surges to an almost 80% of the population living in cities by 2040, similarly Indonesia heightened at around 60% by the year 2040.

Moving to Thailand and Philippines, the line graph follows a similar trend of growth for both these countries. Philippines peak at around 50% in the year 1990, and Thailand climbed to just over 25% in the same year before the decline between 1990 to 2010. The inhabitants of these two cities begin rising after 2010 in Philippines and peak at almost 50% by the year 2040. In contrast; Thailand is only able to achieve 45% residents in cities by 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the broad upward urbanisation trend and make useful comparisons, especially noting Indonesia’s rise and Malaysia’s leading position. However, some key details are inaccurate or insufficiently qualified. Malaysia is already highest in 1970 and rises steadily; its sharpest growth is before 2000, rather than both Malaysia and Indonesia beginning to spike after 2000. Thailand does not decline between 1990 and 2010: its share edges up from about 30% to 33%. The overview also says Thailand is at the bottom, although Indonesia starts lowest and Thailand remains below the Philippines only for much of the period. Your account covers all four countries, but these misreadings and the limited comparison of the Philippines’ fluctuations keep the reporting from being consistently precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is clearly organised into an introduction, an overview and two country-pair paragraphs. Its progression from the general picture to closer comparisons is easy to follow, and phrases such as “Taking a closer look” and “Moving to” help signal shifts. The country groupings also give the report a sensible structure. Some linking is less effective because the comparisons do not always match the data: for example, the claim that Thailand and the Philippines follow a similar trend overlooks the Philippines’ fall after 1990 and Thailand’s gradual rise. “In contrast” is useful, but the final comparison would be clearer if it directly contrasted their 2040 figures. Overall, cohesion is flexible and the organisation is strong, with a few imprecise transitions and references.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

You use a varied range of vocabulary, including “urbanization trend,” “surges,” “gradual climb” and “accounts for,” which helps describe movement and comparison. The meaning is generally clear, and there is some awareness of formal report style. At times, however, word choice or collocation is awkward: “consolidated population data” is not a natural description of the graph, “preferring city life” implies a preference rather than reporting population distribution, and “heightened at around 60%” is not idiomatic for a figure. “Peak” is also used for values that are better described as reaching or standing at a level. More precise, neutral trend language would make the account sound more consistently academic. Check spelling as well, particularly “surpasess.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “where” and “however,” and most sentences communicate the intended meaning. Some grammatical errors remain. For example, “Philippines peak” and “Thailand climbed” do not maintain consistent subject–verb agreement and tense; “Philippines” also needs an article in these constructions. The sentence beginning “The inhabitants of these two cities” has an unclear reference, since the graph concerns countries and their populations, not two cities. Punctuation is occasionally awkward, as in “In contrast;” where a comma is needed. These issues do not usually prevent understanding, but more consistent agreement, article use, tense control and punctuation would improve accuracy.

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