Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The line graph illustrates the percentage of population living in urban area of Philippines , Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia from 1970 to 2020 along with making prediction for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, Each country has showen rise in overall period but Malaysia has the highest urban population in throughout period and expected to remain same in future. On the other hand Indonesia started from lowest somehow predicted to reach 2nd highest in upcoming time while thialand will be at least in urbanization.

In 1970 Malaysia has only 30 percent of people living in city area which continued to increase with passage of time and reached 80%.Moreover Phillippines also started at exact same ratio of 30% and shoed drastic changes reached highest in 1990 and then declined till 2010 and still not much improvement is shown. Thailand showing around 18% in 1970 showing slow rise till 2040 around 35%. Indonesia has only 12% of citizen people living which rised significantly and will reach 55% in 2040.

In conlusion Malyaisia was showing increase in past years and is predicted to gain more citzen population in future while indonesia will be 2nd highest in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the topic, cover all four countries, and include an overview of broad changes, which gives the response a relevant foundation. However, several key details are inaccurate or unclear: Malaysia rises to about 84%, not 80%; the Philippines begins at 32%, rather than the same 30% as Malaysia, and its peak is around 48% in 1990. Thailand is projected to reach about 50% by 2040, not 35%, while Indonesia is expected to reach about 64%, not 55%. The overview also incorrectly suggests Malaysia is highest throughout: Indonesia overtakes the Philippines by 2020, and Malaysia is not highest in 1970. Select the main comparisons more accurately and support them with representative figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, a paragraph of country details, and a concluding statement. This helps the reader identify the purpose of each section. However, progression within the detail paragraph is difficult to follow because all four series are compressed together, and some links between ideas are unclear. For example, “Thailand showing around 18% in 1970 showing slow rise till 2040 around 35%” does not clearly separate the starting point from the forecast. The conclusion repeats the Malaysia and Indonesia points rather than adding a useful comparison. Organise the body into clearer comparisons—such as the higher urbanisation figures versus the lower starting figures—and use linking phrases accurately and sparingly.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “percentage,” “urban population,” “declined,” and “predicted,” so the subject is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are unnatural, such as “urban area,” “city area,” “citizen people,” and “at least in urbanization.” Repetition of “increase,” “showing,” and “reach” also makes the description less precise. Spelling errors—including “Phillippines,” “thialand,” “conlusion,” and “Malyaisia”—are noticeable and reduce the accuracy of the writing. Build a more reliable set of trend verbs and phrases, and check spelling carefully; this will help you describe changes and comparisons more clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts a few longer structures, including “while Indonesia will be 2nd highest in 2040,” but most sentences rely on simple patterns, and attempts to extend them are often faulty. Examples include “Each country has showen rise,” “Malaysia has the highest urban population in throughout period,” and “Thailand showing around 18%.” These contain problems with verb forms, articles, sentence completeness, and prepositions. Punctuation and spacing are also inconsistent, as in “80%.Moreover.” These errors sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to understand. Practise accurate present and past descriptions alongside forecast forms, and build complete sentences with a clear subject and finite verb before adding extra clauses.

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.