Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-16

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 5.0)

The graph shows information about the percentage of the populaion in four Asian countries. Namely, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia living in cities frome 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the population of Malaysia expanded significanlty over the period. The population of Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia also increase but to least extent.

The population of Philippines was 31% in 1970. It grew slightly to 32% in 1980 then it sharply increase to 48% in 1990 after that it continuously fall to 43% in 2000 and 2010 then it slowly go up in 2020 and predicted to be 50% in 2040.

The population of Malaysia climbed sharply to 44% in 1970,1980 and 1990. After 1990 it stepped up with more pace and is at 73% in 2020. Now it is predicted to be at 82% in 2040.

The population of Thaliand was at 19% in 1970 and grew quickly to 28% in 1980 and 1990. In 2000, it went down steadily to 27% and gently increase to 29% in 2020 and predicted to be at 45% in 2040.

The popoulation of Indonesia was at only 13% in 1970 and is increase constantly to 51% in 2020 and is predicted to be at 62% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify all four countries and include an overview, noting Malaysia’s substantial rise and increases in the other countries. However, the overview is too general: Indonesia’s growth was much stronger than Thailand’s, and the Philippines did not rise steadily. Several details are inaccurate or unclear. For example, Malaysia was about 30% in 1970, not 44%, and its figures rose from roughly 41% in 1980 to 46% in 1990. The Philippines reached about 48% in 1990, then fell to around 43% in 2010 before recovering. Thailand generally increased rather than falling after 1990. The final predictions are also understated for the Philippines and Thailand. Select the main contrasts and report the key stages more accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for each country. This makes the information easy to locate. However, the progression within the country paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow because several time points are compressed into one sentence, and linking phrases such as “after that” and “now” are used mechanically. The Malaysia paragraph, for instance, says it “climbed sharply to 44% in 1970,1980 and 1990,” which obscures the sequence and makes the comparison unclear. Grouping countries with similar patterns, or using clearer chronological links, would create a more coherent account. Check that each sentence connects the year, figure and trend unambiguously.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant trend vocabulary, including “expanded significantly,” “climbed sharply,” “fell” and “steadily,” so the reader can generally understand the intended changes. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “increase constantly,” “stepped up with more pace” and “to least extent.” Repetition of “population” and “predicted to be at” also makes the report less precise. Spelling errors—including “populaion,” “frome,” “significanlty,” “Thaliand” and “popoulation”—are noticeable and weaken control. Use a wider set of accurate terms such as “rose gradually,” “declined,” “remained relatively stable” and “is projected to reach,” while checking spelling and collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, errors occur frequently in verb forms, tense consistency and sentence construction. Examples include “it sharply increase,” “it continuously fall,” “it slowly go up” and “is increase constantly”; these should use past-tense forms for historical data, such as “increased,” “fell” and “went up.” Some sentences run together without adequate punctuation, particularly the Philippines account, where several stages are joined with “after that.” There are also problems with articles and phrasing, as in “population of Philippines.” Practise forming accurate past-tense clauses and separating trends into complete sentences; then use future forms consistently for the projected years.

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