Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-14

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 compares the proportion of population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the population across the different countries significantly increase within five decades, with Malaysian population dominating the four countries at the end of the period. The prediction for the 2030 and 2040 followed a similar trend, with each country experiencing a peak in 2040.

In 1970, Philippines and Malaysia started with a population of approximately 30% of the total population, increasing to around 48% and 49% respectively in 1990, with Philipines slightly above Malaysia. Thailand, along with Indonesia experienced a similar trend at about 19% and around 13% respectively in 1970. Both figures rose considerably to approximately 29% in 2000.

Philipinian population fell sharply to about 40% in 2010, meeting the Indonesian population at that point. However, the Indonesian population rose steadily from 2000 to 2010.

In 2020, Malaysia continued to dominate, followed by Indonesia rising above the Philippian population. Thailand accounted for the least population in 2020. The future predictions for thses countries followed a similar increasing patterns in 2030 and 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the graph’s subject and provide an overview, noting Malaysia’s leading position and the general rise in urban populations. Several relevant comparisons are also included, such as the Philippines being slightly higher than Malaysia in 1990 and Indonesia overtaking the Philippines by 2020. However, some details are inaccurate or too broad: Malaysia was about 45.5% in 1990, not 49%, and the Philippines fell to around 42.5% in 2010 rather than 40%. The overview also says every country reaches a peak in 2040, although the figures show continuing increases rather than a peak. The account of the later projections is underdeveloped; include the contrasting projected levels, especially Malaysia’s much higher figure and Thailand’s continued lower position.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing earlier and later data. Sequencing is generally understandable, and transitions such as “However” and “In 2020” help signal changes. However, the progression is not consistently clear because the final paragraph groups all future predictions together without comparing the countries or giving their projected values. Some references are also imprecise: “Both figures” could refer to Thailand and Indonesia, but the sentence does not clearly explain their separate paths, and “these countries” is vague. Organise the body more systematically by comparing the series across time, and use explicit country names and linking phrases to make relationships clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “proportion,” “dominating,” “rose steadily,” and “predictions.” These choices help communicate the main trends, but some wording is imprecise or repetitive. “Population” is repeatedly used where “proportion of the population” or “urban share” is intended, and “dominate” is less natural for describing a percentage. There are also spelling errors in “Philipines,” “Philipinian,” “Philippian,” and “thses,” which reduce accuracy. The phrase “increasing patterns” is awkward, while “significantly increase” does not fit the past-tense description. Aim for precise trend vocabulary and check country names carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more complex forms, including the overview sentence beginning “Overall” and the contrast introduced by “However.” Most of the meaning remains clear, but some grammatical errors persist. In “the population … significantly increase,” the verb should agree with the singular subject and use past tense (“increased”); “the prediction … followed” also needs a plural subject if referring to both years. The phrase “Philippines and Malaysia started” needs an article before “Philippines,” and “Thailand, along with Indonesia experienced” needs punctuation around the inserted phrase. There are also awkward constructions such as “increasing to around 48% and 49% respectively,” where the subject and figures are not expressed precisely. Review agreement, tense consistency, and sentence punctuation.

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