Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-17

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 compare the population of people from four Asian countries staying in cities between 1979 and 2020, these figures also prediction for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, perentage of population living in cities increased in all four countries. Malaysia is expected to have highest population residetns by 2040. Thailand is predicted to remain least urbanised country. Indonesia is laso forcasted to experience signifcantly growth.

In 1970, about 32% of population in philippines lived in cities, compared with 30% in Malaysia. The figure for philippines increased to around 49%1990 before falling gradually to about 43% in 2010, after that it is exected to increaed, reaching about 50% by 2040. In contrast,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the broad upward trend across the four countries and note Malaysia’s projected lead, which are relevant main features. However, the response is incomplete: it stops after “In contrast,” and therefore gives no account of Malaysia, Thailand or Indonesia’s figures and changes, despite mentioning Indonesia in the overview. Some details are also inaccurate or unclear: the period begins in 1970, not 1979, and the Philippines is projected to reach about 56% in 2040, rather than about 50%. The overview’s claim that Thailand remains least urbanised is supported, but the comparison is not developed. The response is also 40 words below the required minimum. To improve, complete the comparisons and report the key later-period figures accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introductory sentence, an overview, and a paragraph beginning to describe the Philippines. The overview also groups the main trends rather than listing figures alone. However, the progression is cut off at “In contrast,” leaving the final comparison unfinished and the other countries unaddressed. This makes the organisation feel incomplete, and the reader cannot follow a full comparison across the series. Linking phrases such as “Overall” and “In contrast” are appropriate in principle, but the latter needs to introduce a complete contrasting point. Use separate, complete body paragraphs to compare the countries’ starting points, changes and projections, and ensure each paragraph reaches a clear conclusion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “increased,” “falling gradually,” “reaching,” and “urbanised,” and these help communicate the general trends. However, the range is limited and several spelling and word-form errors make the writing less clear, such as “perentage,” “residetns,” “laso,” “forcasted,” and “signifcantly.” Some expressions are also imprecise: “population of people … staying in cities” is less suitable than language describing the share of a population living in urban areas. “Highest population residents” is unclear because the graph measures percentages, not resident totals. Aim for accurate collocations and vary trend language, for example “the proportion living in cities,” “rose steadily,” and “was projected to reach.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including a comparison with “compared with” and a sequence using “before” and “after that.” However, errors are frequent enough to affect clarity. The opening has subject–verb disagreement (“The graph compare”), and the first sentence joins two independent ideas with a comma. Articles and sentence structure are also problematic in “about 32% of population” and “Malaysia is expected to have highest population.” The phrase “after that it is exected to increaed” contains faulty verb forms, while the final “In contrast,” is an incomplete sentence. Practise accurate agreement, articles and past/future forms, and check that each sentence has a complete clause and appropriate punctuation.

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