Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The line graph provides information about the proportion of the population in Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia living in cities between 1970 and 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the figure for Malaysia accounted for the highest population, while Thailand represented the lowest population, and these pattern expected to keep continuing over the next 20 years.

At the beginning of the period, Malaysia accounted for the highest population at 30%, and then increased rapidly to around 75% in 2020, it is expected to increase gradually to 80% in 2040. Similarly, Indonesia increased steadily from approximately 12% to 50% in 2020, and projected to increase to 60% in 2040.

Regarding the two remaining countries, Philippines accounted for around 31% in 1970, and then fluctuated between 30% to 40%, and it its projected to rose to around 52%. Meanwhile, Thailand increased from 20% to around 30%, and then remained relatively stable, and it is predicted to increase rapidly to around 48% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall pattern: Malaysia has the highest urban share for most of the period and is projected to remain highest, while Thailand starts lowest. You also report the broad upward trends for Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. This covers the task, but some comparisons and stages are less fully or accurately described. In particular, Thailand does not remain the lowest throughout: Indonesia is lower in 1970 and 1980, and the Philippines is below Thailand in 2010. The Philippines is described as fluctuating between 30% and 40%, although it rises to about 48% in 1990 and later falls before recovering. Include key turning points and compare the countries more precisely to make the overview and supporting details more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised into a clear introduction, an overview and two body paragraphs. The grouping of Malaysia and Indonesia, followed by the Philippines and Thailand, gives the reader a logical route through the data. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Similarly,” and “Meanwhile” help signal relationships between points. To strengthen progression further, make the comparisons within each paragraph more explicit and avoid chaining several stages with repeated “and then.” For example, the Philippines and Thailand paragraph could contrast the Philippines’ rise and subsequent fall with Thailand’s steadier growth. Some transitions currently connect facts without clarifying how the trends compare, but the overall organisation remains clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a suitable range of trend vocabulary, including “increased rapidly,” “increased steadily,” “fluctuated,” “remained relatively stable,” and “projected.” These choices allow you to describe different patterns rather than relying only on “went up.” However, some word choices are imprecise for this graph: “population” refers to the people themselves, whereas the figures show a proportion or percentage, and “accounted for the highest population” is an awkward collocation. “These pattern” also shows a word-form error. Aim for more precise, natural descriptions of percentages and trends, and vary the language used to report forecasts. The meaning is generally clear, but greater control of collocation and precision would make the account more fluent.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses linked with “while,” “and then,” and “which” is not needed to understand your comparisons. Most of the data remains understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “these pattern expected” needs a plural noun and a finite verb (“these patterns are expected”), while “it its projected to rose” contains an incorrect verb form and an unnecessary repeated pronoun. The sentence beginning “Malaysia accounted for the highest population … in 2020, it is expected” joins two independent clauses with a comma. Use complete clauses, check subject–verb agreement and verb forms, and separate or link clauses accurately. These issues rarely obscure the intended meaning.

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