Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The line graph illustrates the proportion of people living in cities in four Asian countries namely Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia between 1970 and 2020, and predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, population in all four countries increased over the period and is forecast to increased further, while Philippines showed some fluctuations. Whereas, Malaysia population in Malaysia increased rapidly, and Thailand remained lowest in category.

Looking at the details, in 1970, Malaysia stood at the 30% of the total residents, before increasing gradually to around 43% in 1990, and this figure rose steadily to almost 73% in 2020, and it is forecast to rise further to 80% in 2040. In contrast, Philippines started with 31% of habitants before climbing to 50% in 1990, and this figure decreased to around 40% in 2010, although it is projected to reach almost 50% in 2040.

Regarding, Thailand began at roughly 19% of people living in cities, and it grew moderately to almost 27% in 1990, although it remained stable by 2020, and it is predicted to surge approximately 43% in 2040. Whereas, Indonesia showed lowest population in 1970 at 13% before increased continously to reach around 50% in 2020, and this figure projected to 60% in 2040

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover all four countries and include a clear overview: urbanisation generally rises, the Philippines fluctuates, and Malaysia is the highest while Thailand remains comparatively low. Several key comparisons are supported with figures, such as Malaysia’s rise from 30% to about 73% by 2020 and Indonesia’s growth to around 50%. Some details, however, are inaccurate or underdeveloped: Malaysia was about 45.5% in 1990, not 43%, and Thailand was around 30% in 1990 and 33.5% in 2020, so it did not remain stable. The forecast for Thailand is also closer to 50% in 2040, rather than 43%. More precise reporting of these trends and a clearer comparison of Indonesia’s strong rise would strengthen the summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a coherent overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and two detail paragraphs grouping the countries. The reader can generally follow the comparisons, and linking expressions such as “In contrast” and “although” help show relationships. However, some transitions are awkward or mechanically used, including “Whereas” at the start of the overview and “Regarding” followed by a comma. The Malaysia sentence strings several stages together with repeated “and,” making the progression less easy to follow. The final Indonesia sentence also lacks a full stop, which weakens the ending. Use clearer topic sentences and divide long sequences into more controlled sentences; ensure each connector expresses the relationship intended.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for describing trends, including “increased,” “fluctuations,” “climbing,” “decreased,” and “projected.” These choices make the main movements understandable, and there is some attempt to vary wording rather than repeat “rose” throughout. Some expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, however: “population in Malaysia” is repeated, “habitants” is not a natural choice here, and “surge approximately” needs a more suitable construction. “Increased rapidly” also overstates Malaysia’s overall pattern in the overview unless tied to a specific period. Aim for precise collocations such as “the proportion of the population,” “urban share,” and “is projected to reach,” while checking spelling, as in “continously.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “before,” “although,” and “while,” and most of the meaning remains clear. Some grammatical errors persist in verb forms, articles, agreement, and sentence construction. For example, “is forecast to increased further” should use the base form after “to”; “before increased continously” needs a correctly formed verb; and “this figure projected to 60%” is missing an auxiliary. The overview’s “Malaysia population in Malaysia” also creates an awkward, unclear structure, while “Whereas,” is used as a sentence opener without a complete contrasting clause. Review infinitives after “to,” passive forms such as “is projected,” and punctuation around linking clauses. Greater control of these patterns would make the complex sentences more accurate.

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