Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-13

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 4.0)

The line graph shows the percentages of of 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.

In the graph we shows percentage of Malaysia is more than other countries in 2040 and the percentage of Philippines middel average in 2040. The percentage of Thailand and Indonesia is more than other countries but middle range.

According to the graph the percentage of the population living in cities in Asian countries during 1970 to 2020, with prediction for 2030 and 2040. The percentage of Malaysia in 1970 30% and year 2040 is 80% more than other countries. The percentage of Philippines is same in 1930 and year 2040 is 50%. The percentage of Thailand is 19% in year 1970 and year 2040 in 45% and not more than other countries. The last country is Indonesiais12% in year 1970 and 60% in year 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

You identify the topic and mention all four countries, with some relevant endpoint figures, such as Malaysia rising from 30% to about 80% and Indonesia increasing from roughly 14% to 60%. However, the response only minimally reports the graph’s main features: it gives little account of changes between 1970 and 2020, and the overview is unclear. Some details are inaccurate or confusing: the Philippines figure is said to be the same in “1930” and 2040, although the chart begins in 1970 and the 2040 value is about 56%; Thailand is about 50%, not 45%, in 2040. The response also falls 17 words short of the 150-word minimum, with copied prompt wording excluded. Add a clear overview and accurate comparisons across the period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 3.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the response into paragraphs, and phrases such as “According to the graph” and “The last country” signal a move between points. However, the ideas do not develop in a clear sequence: the opening repeats the task, the next paragraph makes broad claims, and the final paragraph lists selected figures without a consistent comparison. Connections between statements are often unclear, as in “The percentage of Thailand is 19% in year 1970 and year 2040 in 45%.” The overview also says Thailand and Indonesia are “more than other countries but middle range,” which is difficult to interpret. Group the countries by trend or compare starting and ending values, and use clear linking phrases to show how each point relates to the overview.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses enough basic topic vocabulary to communicate the general subject, including “percentage,” “population,” “predictions,” and “living in cities.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms make the meaning less clear. “Middel average” and “middle range” do not express a precise comparison, while “the percentage of Malaysia” should refer to the share of its population living in cities. There are also spelling and spacing problems, including “Philippines middel” and “Indonesiais12%.” Use accurate trend language and collocations, such as “the proportion of the population,” “rose steadily,” and “was the highest.” Check spelling and leave spaces between words and figures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt to form both simple statements and longer sentences, and the reader can generally identify the countries and figures being discussed. However, grammatical control is inconsistent. The opening contains a repeated “of,” and “In the graph we shows” has incorrect subject–verb agreement. Several sentences lack articles or a clear grammatical structure, for example, “The percentage of Malaysia in 1970 30% and year 2040 is 80%.” The phrase “The percentage of Philippines is same” also needs an article and a clearer construction. Most sentences follow similar simple patterns, so the response shows limited range. Practise complete comparisons using structures such as “Malaysia’s figure rose from 30% in 1970 to about 84% in 2040,” and check agreement, articles, and punctuation.

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