Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The line graph illustrates the percentage of the people living in cities of four different countries of Asia over the period of 1970 to 2020 and with projections for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, Malaysia and Indonesia shows a significant increase in the population .Whereas, thailand shows a gradual increase during the time period and shows a sudden increase after 2020. However, Philippines shows fluctuations in this period but is expected to show increase afterwards.

Malaysia, showed a gradual change till 1990 however there was signicant increase till 2020 and is assumed to be same till 2040. Whereras, indonesia shows a very less prominent increase by 2000 but a surge was observed and is expected to seen until 2040.

On the contrary, Thailand initially showed increase till 1990 ,it remained relative stable for the coming years however it is expected to have increase after 2020 . Moreover, Philippines remained stable for a decade with an increase afterwards till 1990 and showed a decline till 2010 and then showed increase in populatipon for the remaining time period and will observed the same trend for the next 2 decades.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main overall patterns: Malaysia and Indonesia rise, Thailand grows more gradually before a stronger projected increase, and the Philippines fluctuates before rising again. You also include relevant comparisons across the period. However, some key details are imprecise or misleading. Malaysia does not remain “the same” after 2020; it is projected to continue rising, from about 76% to 83.5%. The overview also says Indonesia shows a “significant increase” without highlighting that it becomes the second-highest series by 2020, while Malaysia remains highest. Several descriptions, such as Thailand’s “sudden increase” after 2020, would benefit from figures to clarify the scale. More accurate, selective data would make the summary fuller and clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate discussion of the countries. This gives the reader a coherent overall route through the information. Comparisons are signalled with phrases such as “Whereas” and “On the contrary,” and the country-by-country grouping is generally easy to follow. However, some links are mechanical or awkward, and punctuation sometimes interrupts the flow, as in “1990 ,it remained relative stable.” The overview and body also repeat similar trend descriptions without always adding detail. Grouping the strongest risers together and contrasting them with the more gradual or fluctuating series would create clearer progression, while more precise linking would make relationships between ideas easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of trend vocabulary for describing a line graph, including “fluctuations,” “gradual,” “surge,” “decline,” and “projections.” These choices help communicate the broad movements. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or repetitive: “a very less prominent increase,” “assumed to be same,” and “expected to seen” do not express the trends naturally. “Significant increase” is also repeated without specifying the scale or period. There are spelling errors, including “signicant,” “Whereras,” and “populatipon,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for precise, conventional graph language such as “rose steadily,” “remained relatively stable,” and “is projected to increase,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including contrast clauses and time references, so there is some structural variety. However, errors occur frequently and sometimes make relationships difficult to interpret. For example, “Malaysia and Indonesia shows” has subject–verb disagreement, while “is expected to seen” is missing a verb form. The sentence beginning “Overall” also joins contrasting ideas with a full stop and “Whereas,” leaving the second clause incomplete. Other problems include “Philippines remained” without an article and inconsistent comma spacing. Practise forming complete clauses with accurate agreement and verb patterns, and use shorter sentences when describing several stages. Careful proofreading for articles, tense, and punctuation would improve clarity.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.