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 chart illustrates the data about the proportion of people in four Asian countries living in cities between 1970 and 2022, with expected results in 2030 and 2040 as well.

Overall, Malaysia showed by far the most significant growth. Indonesia also showed trend very similar to Malaysia. Thiland remained increasind gradually while the Philippines showed fluctuations but remained positively growing.

Malaysia was at 2nd position while Indonesia was at the last position but there pattern has significant resemblance. Starting at nearly 12% and 30% respectively. After gradually inceased till 1990, there was a remarkable rise and are expected to reach at almost 80% and roughl 60% in 2040.

Thailand hold the 3rd place with just below 20% in 1970. After increasing steadily till 1990, it levelled off for about next 12 years and reached at almost 30% till 2020. At this point. However it predicted score till 2040 showed a massive rose by crossing the 40%. Philippines showed fluctuations but remained positively incrasing and expected to reach at about 50% from 30% in 1970.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the broad trends and provide an overview: Malaysia rises strongly, Indonesia also grows, Thailand increases more gradually, and the Philippines fluctuates while ending higher. Several comparisons are relevant, and the approximate figures for the Philippines and Thailand are generally grounded in the chart. However, some key details are inaccurate or unclear. Malaysia was not second in 1970; it began at about 30%, well above Indonesia and Thailand, and reached roughly 84% by 2040 rather than almost 80%. Indonesia began at about 14%, not 12%, and its rise is not consistently similar to Malaysia’s. The claim that Thailand reached almost 30% by 2020 overlooks its actual figure of about 34%. More precise comparisons across the period would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and separate paragraphs discussing the countries. This gives the reader a general route through the information. However, the progression within the body paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow: the Malaysia paragraph begins with a ranking, then combines Malaysia and Indonesia without clearly separating their figures or trends. Linking expressions such as “At this point. However” are punctuated awkwardly, and the reference to “there pattern” is unclear. The overview also repeats the idea of growth without establishing the most useful comparisons, such as Malaysia’s leading position and Indonesia’s rapid rise. Grouping countries more clearly and using accurate references between sentences would make the organisation more coherent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of trend vocabulary, including “fluctuations,” “levelled off,” “steadily” and “remarkable rise,” which helps describe changes rather than simply list figures. Some choices, however, are inaccurate or unnatural for this task, such as “expected results” for projected figures, “positively growing,” and “massive rose.” There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “Thiland,” “increasind,” “inceased” and “roughl,” which reduce the accuracy and polish of the report. Aim for precise, conventional collocations for describing data and check spelling carefully. For example, “is projected to reach” is clearer than “expected results,” while “rose sharply” is more natural than “massive rose.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast with “while” and a time clause beginning “After.” However, grammatical control is inconsistent, and several errors make relationships between ideas harder to understand. For example, “Indonesia also showed trend” needs an article, and “Starting at nearly 12% and 30% respectively” is a sentence fragment without a main verb. In “After gradually inceased till 1990,” the verb form is incorrect, while “it predicted score” does not form a clear grammatical clause. Punctuation also needs attention: “At this point. However” breaks one idea into an incomplete sentence. Practise complete sentence structures, accurate verb forms and punctuation, while retaining your attempts at varied clauses.

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