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 graph provides the information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, Malaysia had the highest figure of population throughout the period. Although, Indonesia had the lowest population in 1970, with the passage of time it became the second highest population. The population of Indonesia increased more than four times. The lowest incresed population were philippi

Malaysia had the 30% population in 1970. Firstly, it increased, then decreased and then escalated constantly until 2040 and became almost 80% of population. Philippines had the approximately 31% population in 1970 and through many fluctations during the whole period, it became almsot 50%. The population of Thailand increased double during this period, started from 19% and reached almost 38%. The population of Indonesia increased remarkably. It increased more than four times started from 12% and became almsot 54%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the subject and give an overview, noting Malaysia’s high figures and Indonesia’s strong rise from the lowest starting point. However, the overview is incomplete and some details are inaccurate: Malaysia rises throughout, rather than decreasing, and Indonesia becomes the highest after Malaysia by 2040, not simply the “second highest” throughout the later period. The claim that Thailand reaches almost 38% is also well below the chart’s approximately 50% in 2040. The Philippines’ trend is left unfinished, ending with “The lowest incresed population were philippi”. The response is 128 words, below the required 150, which limits the detail and comparisons provided. Include a clear overview and accurately report key endpoints and changes for all four countries.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic structure, with an opening, an overview and a paragraph of country details, and the reader can identify the general topic. However, progression is weak: the overview is interrupted by the incomplete sentence “The lowest incresed population were philippi”, and the final paragraph moves between countries without a consistent comparison or clear grouping. Linking expressions such as “Firstly” and “then” are used, but the sequence for Malaysia is inaccurate and does not help clarify the data. Some references, including “it” in the Indonesia discussion, are understandable but repetitive. Organise the body into clear comparisons—for example, Malaysia and Indonesia’s stronger growth, followed by the Philippines and Thailand—and use accurate transitions to show changes over time.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant trend vocabulary, including “increased”, “decreased”, “fluctations” and “remarkably”, so the main subject is generally clear. However, the range is limited and several phrases are awkward or imprecise, such as “the highest figure of population”, “the lowest population” and “increased double”. Repetition of “population” and “increased” also makes the report less precise. There are noticeable spelling errors, including “incresed”, “philippi” and “almsot”, and “escalated” is not a natural choice for a line-graph trend. Use vocabulary that describes proportions and trends accurately, such as “urban population share”, “rose steadily” and “more than quadrupled”, and check spelling before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response includes some simple sentences and attempts a longer time-sequence construction, but the range is limited and errors occur frequently. For example, “Although, Indonesia had the lowest population in 1970” uses “although” without completing the contrast, while “Malaysia had the 30% population” has an incorrect article and sentence pattern. The phrase “started from 12% and became almost 54%” lacks a clear grammatical subject in the second clause, and “The lowest incresed population were philippi” is incomplete and difficult to interpret. These problems sometimes make relationships between figures unclear. Practise complete comparative sentences with accurate subjects and verbs, such as “Indonesia’s urban share rose from 14% to 52%,” and proofread articles, clause structure and punctuation.

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