Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The provided graph below delineates the changes in the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, it is evident that Malaysia has the highest population among all four Asian countries whereas, Thailand has the lowest population compared to other Asian countries which are mentioned in the line graph.

In 1970, the percentage of population of two asian countries, Indonesia and Malaysia was 12% & 30%. These two countries quickly went upto 50% & 72%.

Whereas other two asian countries Philippines and Thailand, there population in 1970 was 31% & 19% they slightly increased and rosed upto 30% & 42& in the 2020. In addition the population of Philippines was slightly declined after 1990 and after 2010 it started rose slightly.

The percentage of population predicted for Asian countries for 2030 & 2040 makes comparision between them because Malaysia has the highest percentage of population among other 3 asian countries which is 82% whereas Thailand has the lowest population among the mentioned asian countries in 2040 which is 48%. Hence, after 2020 Malaysia peaked it's population and peaked among a

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the broad topic and include some relevant figures, such as Malaysia’s rise from about 30% to around 72% by 2020 and its projected lead in 2040. However, the overview is inaccurate: Thailand is not the lowest throughout, and the graph shows urbanisation percentages, not population size. Several figures and trends are also misreported. Indonesia reaches about 52% in 2020, not 50%, while Thailand rises to about 34%, not 42%; the Philippines is around 46% in 2020, not 30%. The response also ends with an incomplete comparison and gives little coverage of the countries’ contrasting trajectories. Select the main trends accurately, distinguish actual data from forecasts, and support the overview with reliable comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has an opening, an overview and body paragraphs, so there is an attempt to organise the information. Some sequencing by time is also apparent, and connectors such as “Whereas” and “In addition” show an effort to link points. However, progression is difficult to follow because the country comparisons are grouped inconsistently and several statements combine unrelated figures. For example, “These two countries quickly went upto 50% & 72%” does not specify the year or clearly connect each figure to a country. The final sentence is unfinished, which leaves the response without a complete ending. Use one paragraph to compare the main trends and another to report key stages, with clear references and complete sentences.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “percentage,” “predicted,” “declined” and “increased,” and the general subject remains understandable. However, the range is limited and several expressions are imprecise or repetitive. “Highest population” and “lowest population” refer to population size, whereas the graph compares the share of people living in cities. Phrases such as “went upto” and “makes comparision between them” are awkward, and spelling errors such as “comparision” and “asian” reduce accuracy. Aim for precise trend language and natural collocations, while avoiding repeated references to “population.” For example, describe a country’s urban share as rising, falling or remaining relatively stable.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

There are attempts at longer sentences, including the contrast beginning “Whereas other two Asian countries,” and the response uses past and future time references. However, the range is limited, and errors in sentence construction and verb forms are frequent enough to make some relationships unclear. Examples include “there population … was,” “it started rose,” and “Malaysia peaked it's population,” where pronouns, verb forms or sentence patterns are not controlled. The final clause, “peaked among a,” is incomplete. Punctuation and capitalisation are also inconsistent. Practise forming complete comparisons with a clear subject and verb, such as “The Philippines’ figure fell after 1990 before rising again,” and check tense and possessive forms.

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