Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-20

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 4.0)

The line graph depicts data about four Asian countries, related to the percentage of the population that is residing in cities between 1970 and 2020 along with estimates for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, Malaysia has the highest percentage of the population, whereas Indonesia is holding second position. Philipines fluctuated in intial years and later

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The opening identifies the chart’s subject and time span, and the overview begins to note Malaysia’s leading position. However, the response stops mid-sentence after “Philipines fluctuated in intial years and later,” so it does not complete the overview or report the main trends and comparisons. It also omits the substantial rise in Indonesia, the more gradual increase in Thailand, and the projected figures for 2030 and 2040. The statement that Indonesia is “holding second position” is not accurate across the period: it overtakes the Philippines only later, while Malaysia leads from 2000 onward. The response is also 96 words below the required minimum. To improve, complete the overview and select key figures to compare the four countries across the period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic paragraph structure: an introductory sentence is followed by a separate overview paragraph, and “Overall” signals a shift to the main summary. These choices give the response a starting point for organisation. However, the second paragraph ends abruptly, leaving the reader without a complete line of thought or any supporting details. There is no progression from the overview into comparisons, and the relationships between the countries’ trends are not developed. Use a complete overview, then organise the body by meaningful comparisons—for example, Malaysia’s strong rise alongside Indonesia’s later growth, followed by the slower trends in Thailand and the Philippines. Linking phrases such as “by contrast” and “while” can make those comparisons clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses some appropriate task vocabulary, including “line graph,” “percentage,” “population,” “estimates,” and “fluctuated.” These terms show awareness of the topic and are generally understandable. However, the range is very limited because the response is so brief, and some choices are imprecise or awkward: “depicts data about” is less direct than “shows,” while “holding second position” is not a natural way to describe a ranking in a graph. There are also spelling errors in “Philipines” and “intial.” Build a broader set of accurate trend expressions, such as “rose steadily,” “reached a peak,” and “was projected to increase,” and use country names and collocations carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The opening sentence is a complete, understandable sentence, and the writer attempts a longer structure with “between 1970 and 2020 along with estimates for 2030 and 2040.” The overview also uses a contrast clause with “whereas.” However, the sample is too short to demonstrate a range of sentence forms, and the final sentence is incomplete: “Philipines fluctuated in intial years and later” has no completed idea. “Indonesia is holding second position” also uses a present progressive form awkwardly for a general trend across a chart. Use past simple for the historical data and “is projected to” for forecasts, and ensure every sentence has a complete main clause. A fuller response would allow you to show more control of complex comparisons.

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.