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 line graph illustrates the percentage of the population in four Asian countries( Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia) living in cities between 1970 and 2020 with projection for 2030 and 2040.
Overall, the future predictions depicts that the population in Malaysian cities will increase significantly, while the population growth in Indonesian cities will show reapid change in compared with the past numbers.
To begin with, in 1970, around 30% population of overall proportion were living in cities in Malaysia and Philippines. However, throughout the period the numbers of Malaysian population increased, and will show upwards trend in the future. In contrast, from 1970 to 1990 the population of cities in Philippines increased slightly from 30% to 50% then the figure dropped slightly till 2010. Hence, the future projections shows that till 2040 the population will face excessive growth.
On the other hand, the population of Thailand shows fluctuation over the period of time.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0
The response identifies the topic and makes a relevant attempt to describe Malaysia and the Philippines, including Malaysia’s rise and the Philippines’ rise and subsequent dip. However, coverage is very incomplete: Indonesia, whose urban share rises sharply and is projected to reach about 64%, is not described, and Thailand receives only the unsupported statement that it “shows fluctuation.” The overview is also unclear: “population growth in Indonesian cities will show reapid change” does not accurately summarise the trend, and the figures for the Philippines are imprecise (about 32% in 1970 and 48% in 1990, rather than 30% and 50%). The response is 145 words, below the 150-word minimum. Include a clear overview and report the main trends for all four countries.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
There is some basic organisation: an introduction is followed by an overview and then body paragraphs, and “To begin with” and “On the other hand” signal transitions. However, progression is limited because the final paragraph gives only one brief, unsupported comment about Thailand and leaves Indonesia unaddressed. The overview does not clearly preview the main comparisons, while “Hence” does not establish a clear logical link between the preceding decline and the future projection. Some references, such as “the numbers” and “the figure,” are vague about which country or measure is meant. Grouping the countries by their trends and developing each paragraph with comparisons would make the information easier to follow.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The response uses some relevant task vocabulary, including “percentage,” “projection,” “increased,” and “dropped,” so the main subject is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “population growth in Indonesian cities,” “show reapid change,” “population of cities,” and “excessive growth.” “Shows fluctuation” is also not an accurate description of Thailand’s mostly gradual rise. Spelling errors such as “reapid” are noticeable. Use precise terms for the urban share, such as “proportion of the population living in cities,” and choose neutral trend language like “rise steadily,” “fluctuate,” or “increase markedly” only where the data supports it.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast with “while” and a time clause beginning “from 1970 to 1990.” However, grammatical errors are frequent, and some sentences are difficult to interpret. For example, “the future predictions depicts” has subject–verb disagreement, while “the population in Malaysian cities will increase” does not clearly express the share of the population living in cities. In “the population of cities in Philippines increased,” the article is missing, and “the future projections shows” again has disagreement. The sentence beginning “Hence” is also awkwardly constructed. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, articles with country names, and consistent past and future forms; shorter, controlled sentences would improve clarity.
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