Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-12

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 graph illustrates the percentage of population living in cities of four Asian countries such as Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia from the year 1970 to 2020. On the basis of past data, also giving the predictions for the years 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the graph gives the information about the population of four countries living in different cities. The population of malaysia and Indonesia is continuously rising with the years. However, the lines of Philippines and Thailand show fluctuations with time.

At first, the graph shows that the population of Malaysia and Indonesia is increasing from 1970 to 2040. The percentage of Malaysia start with 30 in 1970 and ends with almost 85% in 2040. Also, the population of Indonesia was 12% in 1970 and after smooth increase, it was 60 percent in year 2040.

Now, the counting of inhabitants in Philippines and Thailand show fluctuations. The population of Phillipines first start rising from 30% in 1970 but after 50% in year 1990, the population started to fall in 1990 and reaches at 40%. From this , the percentage of citizens again rises and reaches to almost 60 percent in year 2040.

Next to this, the number of inhabitants in Thailand show fluctuations but it was not noticeable. But, the perecentage of citizens of Thailand was almost above 40% in the year 2040 which was started with 20% in 1970.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the four countries and cover the full period, including the forecast years, and you attempt an overview by contrasting the generally rising Malaysian and Indonesian figures with the other two series. However, some key details are inaccurate or unclear: Indonesia begins at about 14%, not 12%, and reaches about 64% in 2040, rather than 60%. The Philippines peaks at about 48% in 1990, then falls to around 42.5% in 2010 before rising; it does not fall to 40% after 1990. Thailand is mostly steady through 2020, then rises to about 50% by 2040, so describing its pattern as fluctuating is imprecise. Select and compare these turning points more clearly to develop the report fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs discussing the countries. This makes the main information reasonably easy to follow. However, progression is sometimes mechanical, particularly with “At first,” “Now,” and “Next to this,” and the overview repeats the idea that the graph gives information about populations rather than summarising the most important comparisons. Some references are also unclear, such as “the population started to fall in 1990,” which could mean the decline began after that year. Organise the details around clear comparisons—for example, the highest and fastest-rising countries, followed by the lower or fluctuating trends—and use linking phrases only where they clarify the relationship.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough topic vocabulary to communicate the general subject, including “percentage,” “inhabitants,” “predictions,” and “rising.” However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or repetitive. “Population” is repeatedly used where “urbanisation rate” or “proportion living in cities” would be more precise, while “counting of inhabitants” does not naturally describe a percentage. There are also spelling errors, including “Phillipines” and “perecentage,” and “fluctuations” is used for Thailand despite its largely steady rise. Aim for precise trend language and check spelling; varying “rise” with “increase,” “climb,” or “grow” would also make the account less repetitive.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, and the overall meaning is generally understandable. Some grammatical errors remain, especially with agreement, articles, and verb forms. For example, “The percentage of Malaysia start” should be “The percentage for Malaysia starts,” and “the number of inhabitants in Thailand show” should be “the proportion in Thailand shows.” The opening fragment, “On the basis of past data, also giving the predictions…,” is not a complete sentence; connect it to the preceding sentence. Tense and phrasing are also awkward in “the population started to fall in 1990 and reaches at 40%.” Practise complete sentence structures and consistent past-tense descriptions, using future forms for the projections.

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