Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The given line graph illustrates the percentage of population in four different Asian countries which are surviving in cities since 1970 to 2020. It also summarized the future population of all these cities from 2030 to 2040.

According to the information provided in the graph we can tell that Malaysia had a significant growth in their country's population with around 80% over the years including the future predictions. On the other hand Thailand had reported the least population during the period of 1970 to 2040.

On the other hand Indonesia is maintaining its pace and percentage of the population growth throughout the years. It showed a percentage reach of 60% in the year 2040. Among all the four countries Philippines is the only country which does not have a constant or a study growth of population because the population in 1990 reached to 50% but in the upcoming years its population thrived to nearly 40%. But according to the predictions it had shown a population percentage which is nearly 60%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify several relevant broad patterns: Malaysia rises substantially, Thailand begins at the lowest level, Indonesia grows strongly, and the Philippines fluctuates. However, the response only partially summarises the graph because it gives little precise comparison across the four countries and does not clearly distinguish the historical data from the forecasts. Some details are inaccurate or vague: Malaysia reaches about 84%, rather than merely “around 80%”; the Philippines peaks at about 48% in 1990, not 50%, and falls to roughly 42–43%, rather than “nearly 40%.” Thailand is the lowest only at the beginning; by 2040 the Philippines is slightly higher than Thailand. Include a clear overview and support it with accurate key figures and comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has paragraph breaks and uses basic linking phrases such as “On the other hand” and “According to the information provided,” so the reader can follow the general topic. However, the organisation does not create a clear progression through the main features: the second paragraph groups Malaysia and Thailand, while the final paragraph shifts to Indonesia and then the Philippines without a consistent comparison or time sequence. “On the other hand” is also repeated where the relationship between ideas is not always a contrast. A more coherent structure would give an overview first, then compare the countries with the highest and lowest figures, followed by the remaining trends and forecasts. Use references such as “this figure” only when their meaning is clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary, including “significant growth,” “predictions,” and “percentage,” and the main subject remains understandable. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing this graph. “Surviving in cities” does not express the intended idea; “living in cities” is appropriate. “Population growth” can suggest an increase in the number of people, whereas the graph shows the urban share of each country’s population. Phrases such as “maintaining its pace” and “a study growth” are unclear, and “thrived” is not a natural description of a percentage trend. Aim for precise trend language and avoid repeating “population” when “urban proportion” or “share” is clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including a complex sentence beginning “because,” and most of the intended meaning can be understood. There are also some correctly formed clauses, such as “It showed a percentage reach of 60% in the year 2040.” However, errors in tense, agreement, articles, and sentence construction remain noticeable. For example, “It also summarized” shifts to past tense even though the graph includes forecasts, while “Malaysia had a significant growth in their country's population” has an awkward agreement and article pattern. “The population in 1990 reached to 50%” also uses an incorrect verb pattern. Practise accurate comparative and trend sentences, and check subject–verb agreement and prepositions when editing.

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