Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The given line graph illustrates the number of city residents in four Asian countries: the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, from 1970 to 2020. Along with that, there is a prediction for the years 2030 and 2040.

Overall, there is an increase in the percentage of people living in cities for all four countries. Malaysia and Indonesia have seen a dramatic increase in city residents. In contrast, the Philippines and Thailand have seen a smaller increase as compared to both given above.

Malaysia has experienced a rapid and continuous increase in percentage from 30% to roughly 82%, almost three times that in 1970. Similarly, Indonesia has seen a rapid increase from almost 12% to nearly 60%, which is 5 times greater than in the 1970s. And in the future, both countries are expected to grow at a steady rate.

In contrast to this, even though the Philippines and Thailand have also experienced an increase, these were lower compared to Malaysia and Indonesia. In Thailand percentage has been increased from almost 18% to around 40%, double to the back in 1970. Similarly in case of the Philippines, there is a comparatively smaller increase from almost 31% to 50% having an increase of 19%. Likewise, they are also gonna experience an increase in population in urban areas in the future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the overall upward trend and make relevant comparisons, especially noting Malaysia’s strong growth and the more modest rises in Thailand and the Philippines. However, some key details are imprecise or incomplete. Malaysia is described as rising continuously, but the account does not clearly distinguish its historical growth from the forecast period. Indonesia’s endpoint is given as nearly 60%, whereas the graph shows about 64% in 2040; the Philippines reaches roughly 56%, not 50%, and Thailand about 50%, not 40%, by that year. The overview also misses the notable crossover: Indonesia overtakes the Philippines around 2010 and is projected to remain ahead. More accurate endpoints and a clearer account of these comparisons would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs grouping the faster-growing countries and the other two. This gives the reader a sensible route through the information, and transitions such as “Overall” and “In contrast” help signal the structure. The comparison between Malaysia and Indonesia is also grouped logically. However, some linking is mechanical or repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “Similarly” and “In contrast,” while “both given above” is an unclear reference. The final paragraph also moves between past figures and future predictions without giving specific forecast comparisons. Use more precise referencing and vary transitions, while ensuring each paragraph develops a clear comparison across the time periods.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for describing trends, including “dramatic increase,” “rapid,” “continuous,” and “steady rate.” Terms such as “percentage” and “prediction” are relevant to the task, and the main meaning remains clear. However, some choices are imprecise or informal for an academic report. “Number of city residents” does not accurately describe a graph showing percentages, and “almost three times that in 1970” is an awkward comparison. “Gonna” is too conversational, while “increase in population in urban areas” is wordy and repetitive. Aim for more precise trend language and natural collocations, such as describing the urban share rising or a figure being projected to reach a particular level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including the contrast structure “even though the Philippines and Thailand have also experienced an increase.” Most sentences communicate the intended trend, and the paragraphing helps make the relationships understandable. Some grammatical errors remain, however. In “In Thailand percentage has been increased,” the passive form is incorrect and the article is missing; use “the percentage in Thailand increased.” “Similarly in case of the Philippines” also needs an article and clearer sentence construction. The sentence beginning “And in the future” is an awkward fragment-like continuation, and “double to the back in 1970” is not a well-formed comparison. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and complete, clearly structured comparisons.

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