Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-15

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 6.5)

The line graph shows the population percentile of the 4 Asian countries living in urban areas between 1920 and 2020. Additionally, it also displays the estimated numbers for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, every nation mentioned increased over the years and is estimated to further rise in 2 decades. Philippines and Thailand, although with slight fluctuations increased gradually during the time period while Malaysia and Indonesia experienced a significant increase as the years progresses.

With over 32% in 1970, the Philippines is the most heavily populated cities across the 3 countries and although with minor fluctuations it increased slightly and is projected to achieve more than 50% in 2040. Similarly, Thailand garnered almost 20% at the start and with small changes, it was expected to achieve a slight increase reaching more than 45% at the end of the time period.

Malaysia started strong with 30% of its population living in urbanized areas in the 1970s, and it experienced a drastic increase over the years and positive projection estimated to have more than 80% in 2040 making it the most populated cities across the nations mentioned. Indonesia with only 15% by the start of the year, also significantly increased as the time passes by and it was estimated to have at least 60% by 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main pattern and include an overview: all four countries rise overall, Malaysia and Indonesia grow strongly, and the Philippines and Thailand increase more gradually. Several endpoint figures are also broadly accurate, including Malaysia exceeding 80% and the Philippines passing 50% by 2040. However, the opening gives the wrong starting year, saying 1920 rather than 1970, and the claim that the Philippines is the most urbanised at the start is inaccurate: Malaysia begins slightly lower, while the Philippines is highest. The comparison that Malaysia becomes the most urbanised by 2040 is useful, but the account would be stronger with clearer comparisons at key stages, especially Indonesia’s rise past the Philippines around 2010 and its continued lead over it thereafter. Some trends are reported more fully than others.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, a general overview, and two paragraphs grouping the countries. This makes the information easy to follow, and transitions such as “Similarly” and “Malaysia” help signal movement between series. The overview also gives the reader a useful broad picture before the details. At times, however, the grouping and comparisons are not fully controlled: the Philippines and Thailand are discussed together despite their different levels, while the later country descriptions mostly stand alone rather than directly comparing their trajectories. Some linking phrases feel mechanical, and the long sentences in the detail paragraphs combine several points without clear separation. More explicit comparisons and tighter sentence boundaries would make progression more consistently smooth.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of vocabulary for describing trends, including “slight fluctuations,” “drastic increase,” “projected,” and “estimated.” These choices generally communicate whether figures rise gradually or sharply. However, some expressions are imprecise or do not collocate naturally in this context, such as “population percentile,” “garnered almost 20%,” and “most heavily populated cities.” The graph measures the share of each country’s population living in cities, rather than the population of cities themselves, so precise terms such as “urban population share” would help. “Positive projection” is also vague, and repeated use of “increase” limits flexibility. Aim for accurate trend language and natural collocations rather than more elaborate wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including clauses with “although” and sentences that combine past trends with future projections. The main meaning is usually clear, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “while Malaysia and Indonesia experienced a significant increase as the years progresses” shifts from past tense to present tense; “Philippines and Thailand … increased” also needs an article or possessive construction. In “although with slight fluctuations increased gradually,” the clause lacks a clear subject structure, and the comma placement makes the sentence difficult to parse. The opening’s “between 1920 and 2020” is grammatically formed but gives the wrong date. Work on consistent tense, complete clause structures, and punctuation around introductory phrases.

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