Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-19

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)

This graph illustrates the population of 4 asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with future predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, all of four countries have shown upward trajectory. Malasia will be the most populated country over the period while thailand cities will remain the lowest percentage of people living in urban areas.

In 1970, Philippines was most populated at 31% of total population living in cities followed by Malasia at second at 30%. Thailand and indonesia accounted for at 19% and 15% respectively.

In year 1994 Malasia crossed philippines and became the most populated country of people living in cities, the percentage of malasia grew over the period by reaching 80% in 2040. In contrast Phillippines populaton of urban areas plummeted over the period closed at 52% in 2040.

Meanwhile indonesia overtook phillipines in 2010 becoming second mot populted country closing at 58%, furthermore the percentage thailnd gradually enhanced by at 45%

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the general upward trend and include several relevant comparisons, such as the Philippines leading Malaysia in 1970 and Indonesia rising strongly. However, the overview is inaccurate: Thailand, not the Philippines, remains the lowest throughout, while Malaysia is the highest only from around 2000 onward, not across the whole period. Several details are also misreported: Malaysia overtakes the Philippines around 1990, not 1994; the Philippines ends at about 56%, rather than plummeting to 52%; and Indonesia reaches about 64%, not 58%. The final Thailand figure is also incomplete. The response is 146 words, below the 150-word minimum, and this limits the coverage of the main features. Add a clearer overview and accurate endpoint comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing earlier and later data. This gives the reader some sense of organisation, and transitions such as “In contrast” and “Meanwhile” help signal comparisons. However, the progression is not consistently clear. The final paragraph combines Indonesia and Thailand without completing the Thailand comparison, while the paragraph beginning “In year 1994” moves from a specific crossing point to a broad summary. Some linking phrases are awkward or do not clearly connect the information. Group the countries or periods more systematically, and use complete sentences to show how each trend relates to the others.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant trend vocabulary, including “upward trajectory,” “crossed,” “overtook,” and “in contrast,” which helps communicate comparisons. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing this graph. “Most populated country” refers to total population rather than the share living in cities, and “plummeted” wrongly suggests a sharp fall when the Philippines fluctuates and then rises. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “Malasia,” “Phillippines,” “populted,” and “thailnd,” which reduce clarity. Use precise terms such as “urban population share” and “percentage living in cities,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a few complex sentence patterns, for example, “In contrast…” and “Meanwhile…,” but most sentences rely on simple structures, and errors are frequent enough to make some passages difficult to follow. Examples include “all of four countries have shown,” “In 1970, Philippines was most populated,” and “the percentage thailnd gradually enhanced by at 45%.” These show problems with articles, sentence construction, and verb patterns. Tense use is also inconsistent: the response shifts between past data and “will be” without a clear distinction between recorded figures and forecasts. Practise complete, controlled sentences and use past tense for historical data, reserving future forms for predictions.

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