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 provides the data for the percentage of population in four different countries in Asia who were living in cities from 1970 to 2020. Also graph provides predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, Malaysia reported with highest percentage throughout the period for population living in cities. Whereas, Thiland reported with lowest percentage for same time period. In addition, Indonesia was second highest figure and Philippines was third highest for population living in cities.

Firstly, Malaysia was reported at 30% in 1970 then reach to 40% in 1980. Till 2020 it reached to more then 70% and predicted to reach at 80% in 2030 and more then 80% in 2040. In contrast, Thiland was at 19% in 1970 then rise significently and reached to 30% in 1990. Afterthat, it reamined same till 2020 and predicted to reach 35% in 2030 and 45% in 2040.

Secondly, Indonesia started from 4% in 1970 and reached to 50% in 2020 and predicted to reach close to 60 and 60 in 2030 and 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the topic and include an overview, noting Malaysia’s high urban share and Thailand’s low one. However, the overview contains a major misreading: Indonesia was not the second-highest country throughout; it began lowest and only overtook the Philippines by 2010. The Philippines is largely omitted from the detailed account, so an important series and its fluctuations are not reported. Some figures are also inaccurate: Indonesia was about 14%, not 4%, in 1970, and Thailand rose gradually after 1990 rather than remaining unchanged until 2020. To strengthen the response, compare all four countries and describe the main changes accurately, especially Indonesia’s rapid rise and the Philippines’ rise, decline and recovery.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and two body paragraphs. Sequencing expressions such as “Firstly” and “Secondly,” along with “In contrast,” help signal the organisation. However, the progression is incomplete because the Philippines is not discussed, and the final paragraph ends abruptly after Indonesia’s forecast. Some linking is mechanical, and the overview’s country ranking makes the relationships between the series unclear. Grouping the countries by meaningful trends—for example, Malaysia’s consistently high figures and Indonesia’s sharp growth—would create a clearer progression. Ensure each paragraph develops a complete comparison and that the overview accurately prepares the reader for the details.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “percentage,” “predictions,” “reached” and “in contrast,” so the main subject is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or repetitive, such as “reported with highest percentage” and “reach at 80%.” Spelling errors, including “Thiland,” “significently” and “reamined,” are noticeable and reduce precision. Use standard trend language and vary it appropriately: for example, “stood at,” “increased to,” “remained stable” and “was projected to reach.” Check spelling carefully, and use “urban population” or “share of the population living in cities” to describe the measure more naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more developed sentences, including contrasts introduced by “Whereas” and “In contrast.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors in sentence structure and verb forms sometimes make the meaning difficult to follow. For example, “Malaysia reported with highest percentage” lacks a suitable verb construction, while “then reach to 40%” does not maintain the past tense. “Whereas, Thailand reported…” is also an incomplete dependent clause when used as a standalone sentence. Practise complete comparisons such as “Malaysia’s figure rose from 30% to about 40%.” Keep past-tense forms for historical data and use “was projected to” for forecasts; this will improve accuracy while allowing you to retain varied sentence structures.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.