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 graph below provides data on the percentage of population in 4 Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, alongside future predictions for the years 2030 and 2040.

Overall, Malaysia has the highest percentage of population living in cities at 75% in 2020 and the highest future prediction 2040 as well at 80%. The country with the most substantial growth in percenatge is Indonesia which grew to 60%. While countries such as philippines and thailand both experinced flautation which eventually became stable going up.

Mayalsia had 30% of its population living in cicties in 1970, this steadily grew to 75% and is also predicated to further increase in 2040. Philippines on the other hand had flautating population living in cities which finally had a stable growing trend in 2010 and is predicated 56% in 2040.

Moreover, Indonesia has the started with least amount of population percenatage living incicties at only 14% in 1970. It later grew to 50% in 2020 and is predicated the second highest percante after mayalsia at 60% in 2040. Lastly, Thailand started with 19%, which fluatated between 1970 till 1990 before becoming more consistent. It it also predicaed with 43% in 2040, making it the lowest percentage of population living in cities across the 4 Asian countries.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall pattern: Malaysia remains the most urbanised country in the later years, while Indonesia rises markedly from the lowest starting point. You also include relevant figures for all four countries. However, several details are inaccurate or imprecise: Malaysia is about 76% in 2020 and 84% in 2040, rather than 75% and 80%; Indonesia is about 52% in 2020 and 64% in 2040, not 50% and 60%; and Thailand is forecast at about 50%, not 43%. The overview also says the Philippines and Thailand became stable, which oversimplifies their different patterns. To strengthen the response, report the key turning points and compare the countries more precisely, especially the Philippines’ peak and subsequent dip and Indonesia’s rise past the Philippines.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs describing the countries. Grouping Malaysia and the Philippines before Indonesia and Thailand gives the reader a basic route through the information. However, progression within the overview is not always clear: the statement that the Philippines and Thailand experienced fluctuations and then became stable combines two distinct trends, while the later country-by-country paragraphs repeat some of the same points. Linking phrases such as “Moreover” and “Lastly” help signal sequence, but they do not always clarify comparisons between series. Organise the body around meaningful contrasts—for example, Malaysia’s sustained rise versus the Philippines’ fluctuation, then Indonesia’s rapid growth versus Thailand’s slower increase—and use references that make each comparison explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “percentage,” “predictions,” “fluctuating,” “steadily grew” and “consistent,” so the main trends are generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms are inaccurate, including “stable growing trend,” “population percentage” and “predicated” where “predicted” is intended. Repeated use of “grew” and “percentage” also makes the account less precise. Spelling errors such as “flautation,” “Mayalsia” and “percenatge” are noticeable and reduce the accuracy of the report. Aim for precise trend language and check spelling carefully; alternatives such as “rose,” “climbed,” “peaked,” “declined” and “was projected to reach” would help distinguish the different movements.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast with “While” and clauses introduced by “which.” Most of the intended meaning can be followed, but some sentence structures are incomplete or awkward. For example, “While countries such as philippines and thailand both experinced…” is a dependent clause without a main clause, and “Moreover, Indonesia has the started…” contains an incorrect verb construction. There are also errors in articles and sentence formation, as in “the least amount of population percentage,” and the final sentence begins “It it also…” with an unnecessary repeated subject. Use complete clauses, check verb forms and agreement, and punctuate longer sentences so that each comparison is easy to follow.

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