Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The graph depicts the data about gthe proportion of the citizens four Asain nations in urban areas between 1970 and 2020, with future predictions for the years of 2030 and 2040, respectivey.

Overall, the proportion of the population living in cities in Malaysia and Indonesia was increased over the period and will rise in future as well. The most populated cities in future will be in Malaysia, while the least one will in Thailand.

Firstly, the percentage of the residents living in urban areas in Malaysia was only 30% in 1970. This proportion rose gradually to double of it in 2000, which will increase to over 80% in 2040. The proportion in Philippine flatuated over the years between 1970 and 2010, which was over 30% and over 40%, respectivey.

Furthermore, the population's proportion in cities in Thailand and Indonesia were and will increased gardually over the years from 1970 to 2040, which were

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the topic and time span, and your overview correctly notes that Malaysia and Indonesia rise overall and that Malaysia is projected to have the highest urban share. However, the response only partially reports the main features: the final comparison that Thailand will be lowest is not supported by the graph, since the Philippines is projected to be lowest in 2040. The account of the Philippines is also incomplete, and the final sentence about Thailand and Indonesia stops before giving the promised figures or comparison. Include the key contrast that Malaysia leads while Indonesia rises sharply, and report the Philippines’ fluctuation and Thailand’s slower growth accurately. These omissions and the unsupported ranking leave the summary minimally developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. Sequencing words such as “Overall,” “Firstly,” and “Furthermore” help signal the stages of the report. However, progression is limited because the final paragraph ends mid-thought (“which were”), leaving the Thailand–Indonesia comparison unfinished. The overview also groups Malaysia and Indonesia together without explaining their different patterns, while the body shifts between countries without a clear comparative framework. Some linking is mechanical, and “respectivey” does not clearly connect to the figures that follow. Organise the body around meaningful comparisons—for example, Malaysia’s high rise versus Indonesia’s rapid growth—and ensure each paragraph completes its point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “proportion,” “percentage,” “urban areas,” “rose gradually,” and “predictions.” This gives the response a basic range for describing a line graph. However, several noticeable spelling and word-choice errors reduce clarity, including “Asain,” “respectivey,” “flatuated,” and “gardually.” Some expressions are also unnatural or imprecise: “the most populated cities” refers to city size rather than the share of people living in cities, and “double of it” is awkward. Aim for accurate collocations and precise descriptions of proportions and trends. Replacing these phrases with standard graph-reporting language would make the account clearer and more appropriate to the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a relative clause in “The proportion in Philippine flatuated over the years…” and a future construction in the overview. However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to follow. For example, “was increased” uses an incorrect passive form for a trend, while “were and will increased” combines incompatible verb forms. The final sentence is incomplete, and “the least one will in Thailand” is missing a verb. There are also problems with articles and number agreement, as in “the proportion … were.” Practise forming complete comparisons and keeping past and future verb forms consistent.

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