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 line graph illustrates the proportion of the total population residing in the citie of four Asian countries (Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia) between 1970 and 2020, with the estimated percentage in 2030 and 2040.

Overall, Philippines showed highest proportion in 1970, whereas Indonesia constituted lowest percentage. In 2040, Malaysia shows highest perdictions while Thailand indicates lowest estimated proportion.

In 1970, Philippines have had highest proportion of total population which was about 34% followed by the Malaysia of about 30%, while Thailand shared almost 18% of the totol and Indonesia showed about lowest percentage which was almost 14%. In contrast to 2020, Malysia showed significant rose to about 80%. However, Thailand constituted lowest percentage of population of about 30%.

On the other hand, between 2030 and 2040 Malaysia shows estimated proportion of about 85% and Thailand shows about 45% of the total population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the graph’s subject and give an overview of the starting and projected leaders, correctly noting that the Philippines was highest in 1970 and Malaysia is expected to lead in 2040. However, the response covers the data only partially: it gives little account of the countries’ changes across the full period, and the comparison for 2020 is inaccurate. Malaysia was about 76% in 2020, not 80%, and Thailand was not the lowest; the Philippines was lower, at roughly 46%. The opening figure for the Philippines is also closer to 32% than 34%. The final paragraph mentions only Malaysia and Thailand in the forecasts. The response is also seven words below the required minimum. Include a fuller, accurate selection of key trends and comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs containing selected figures. This helps the reader identify the topic and the broad direction of the report. However, progression is limited because the body moves from 1970 to 2020 and then to 2030–2040 without explaining the intervening trends or comparing all four countries. Linking phrases such as “In contrast to 2020” and “On the other hand” do not clearly express the relationships between the information that follows. The final paragraph is also very brief. Organise the body around meaningful time periods or country trends, and use transitions that accurately signal comparison or change.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “proportion,” “residing,” “estimated,” and “percentage,” so the topic is generally clear. However, the range is limited and several word-choice, collocation, and spelling errors make the report less precise. For example, “showed significant rose” is not a natural collocation, “constituted lowest percentage” is awkward, and “perdictions,” “Malysia,” “totol,” and “citie” contain spelling errors. “About lowest percentage” is also unclear. Use standard terms such as “urban population” and “accounted for,” and check spelling carefully. More precise verbs for describing trends, such as “increased,” “declined,” or “remained stable,” would help you report the data clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a few complex sentence patterns, including the overview contrast beginning “Overall” and the comparison introduced by “while.” However, the range is limited, and frequent errors in verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction reduce accuracy. Examples include “Philippines have had highest proportion,” where the tense and article are incorrect, and “Malaysia shows estimated proportion,” where the verb form does not fit the past-and-projected timeline. The sentence beginning “In contrast to 2020” is also grammatically incomplete in its comparison structure. Use past simple for historical figures and “is projected/expected to” for forecasts, and check articles and subject–verb agreement. Clearer, shorter sentences would help control these patterns.

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.