Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

The line graph provide the information about , the percentage of the population in four different asian countries living in cities during a fifty year period.

overall, The population of all four countries rose substantially over the period.

Population living in cities of Malaysia and Indinesia were experience steady growth. whereas the population of Philippines and Thailand lower as compare to both countries.

In 1970, philippines were most populated nation with almost 31%, this figure was followed by malaysia at 30%

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response identifies a broad upward trend and notes that Malaysia and Indonesia grew, which is relevant to the graph. However, it addresses the task only minimally: there is no adequate overview of how the four countries compare by the end, and almost all the period after 1970 is omitted. The claim that the Philippines and Thailand were “lower as compare to both countries” is unclear and misleading, since the Philippines began highest and Thailand remained below the other series for much of the period. Only one starting figure is reported, with no meaningful account of later changes or predictions. The response is also 71 words, below the required 150-word minimum. To improve, summarise the main rankings and trends, then support them with selected figures across the timeline.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an opening sentence is followed by an overview and then a detail about 1970. This gives the reader some sense of the intended structure. However, the response stops before developing that progression, and the overview contains an unclear comparison: “whereas the population of Philippines and Thailand lower as compare to both countries.” The connector “whereas” is also separated from the preceding sentence, weakening the relationship between the ideas. Use distinct paragraphs for the introduction, overview and key details, and connect comparisons clearly—for example, contrast Malaysia’s sustained rise with the Philippines’ fluctuation. More complete sequencing across the years would make the report easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant topic vocabulary, including “percentage,” “population,” “living in cities,” and “steady growth,” so the subject is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several choices or forms are inaccurate, such as “most populated nation” for the country with the highest urban share and “lower as compare.” “Population” is also repeated where “proportion” or “urban share” would be more precise. There are spelling and capitalisation problems in “Indinesia,” “philippines,” and “malaysia,” which reduce the accuracy of the vocabulary. Aim for precise language for trends and comparisons, such as “rose,” “declined,” “remained below,” and “accounted for,” while checking country names and collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts a few sentence forms, including an overview and a contrast, but the range is very limited and errors occur frequently. The opening has faulty agreement and punctuation: “The line graph provide the information about ,” should be “The line graph provides information about…”. In “Malaysia and Indinesia were experience steady growth,” the verb form is incorrect; use “experienced” or “have experienced,” depending on the time reference. The clause “the population of Philippines and Thailand lower” lacks a finite verb, and “whereas” is incorrectly attached as a sentence fragment. Articles and number agreement also need attention, as in “Philippines were most populated nation.” Practise complete clauses, consistent past-tense reporting, and accurate subject–verb agreement before attempting longer comparisons.

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