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 given line graph illustrates data about the percentage of the population in four different nations ( Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia) linving in cities from 1970 to 2020, with the prediction for future in 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the population of four countries increased through out the years, whereas population of Thailand and Indonesia were same in the year of 2000. It is predicted that the highest population will be Malaysia and the lowest will be Thailand in the year of 2040.

The popultaion of Malaiysia was highest from 30 percent to about 80 percent among all the countries over the periods. While, it increased from 30% to around 53% in Philippines over the times. In contrast, the population of Indonesia will be grown significantly aproximately to 60 percent from around 15 percent in 2040. Simialrly, the population in Thailand cities will be increased to about 45% from arounf 19 percent from ther year of 1970 to 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the chart’s subject and include an overview, noting the general rise and predicting Malaysia will be highest while Thailand is lowest by 2040. Several comparisons are relevant, including Malaysia’s rise from about 30% and Indonesia’s substantial growth. However, the overview is not fully accurate: Thailand and Indonesia were not “same” in 2000; both were approximately 30.5%, but this is a tie rather than a shared trend across the period. Some figures and endpoints are also unclear or inaccurate: Malaysia reaches about 83.5%, not merely 80%, and the Philippines ends near 55.5%, rather than around 53%. Covering the main fluctuations and giving clearer, accurate endpoint comparisons would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction to an overview and then to country details. The overview helps the reader identify the broad direction of change, and linking expressions such as “Overall” and “In contrast” show an attempt to connect ideas. However, the final paragraph groups several countries into long, loosely connected statements, making comparisons harder to follow. “While” begins a fragment-like continuation, and the sequence shifts between past trends and future predictions without a clear organising principle. The overview’s claim about the 2000 figures also makes the progression less clear. Organise the details into clearer comparisons—for example, Malaysia and the Philippines, then Indonesia and Thailand—and use references and transitions precisely.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “percentage,” “prediction,” “increased,” and “significantly,” so the main subject is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word-choice or spelling problems reduce precision: “population” is repeatedly used where “proportion” or “share” would be more suitable, and “population in Thailand cities” is an awkward description of the urban figure. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “linving,” “popultaion,” “Malaiysia,” “Simialrly,” and “arounf.” Phrases such as “grown significantly aproximately” are not natural collocations. Build a more varied set of accurate trend verbs and comparison phrases, and proofread spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex forms, including a contrast with “whereas” and a prediction introduced by “It is predicted that.” The overall meaning can usually be followed, but some sentence structures and verb forms are inaccurate. For example, “the population of Thailand and Indonesia were same” has an agreement problem and needs an article before “same”; “will be grown” is not the correct future form; and “will be increased” is an awkward passive construction for describing a rising figure. The sentence beginning “While, it increased…” is also not well formed as a standalone sentence. Use direct forms such as “the figure rose” or “is expected to rise,” and check articles, agreement, tense consistency, and punctuation.

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