Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-21

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 4.5)

The line graph provides comparison and growth prediction of population in 4 asian countries (Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia) living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with 2030 and 2040.

Overall, all the 3 countires shows constant growth in population, while Philippines shows little bit decline in population.

In term of growth, Malaysian and Indonesian growing continously from 1970 to 2040, with percentage for Malaysia approximately (12% to 60% till 2040) and Indonesia around (30% to 80% till 2040).

Thailand and Philippines has nearly same growth numbers. In 1990 both countries has declation in the population growth,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

The response identifies the broad topic and attempts an overview, noting that most countries rise and that the Philippines has a decline. However, the overview is inaccurate: the Philippines fluctuates before rising again, rather than showing a sustained decline, and all four countries increase overall. Several figures are also substantially misreported: Malaysia rises from about 30% to 84%, not 12% to 60%, while Indonesia goes from about 14% to 64%, not 30% to 80%. The comparison between Thailand and the Philippines is not supported, and the final sentence is unfinished. The response is only 88 words, below the required 150, which leaves key trends and comparisons undeveloped. Select accurate starting and ending figures, describe the main fluctuations, and complete the summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic paragraph structure: an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph beginning “In term of growth.” This gives the reader some sense of the response’s organisation. However, progression is limited because the body does not systematically compare the four countries, and the final sentence stops after “declation in the population growth,” leaving the discussion incomplete. Connections between ideas are also sparse; “Overall” and “In term of growth” provide some signposting, but the latter does not clearly introduce a precise comparison. Group the countries by their trends, use one paragraph for the overview and another for key details, and finish each comparison so the reader can follow the account from 1970 to 2040.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant task vocabulary, including “line graph,” “population,” “percentage,” “growth,” and “decline,” so the general subject is understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms are inaccurate, such as “growth prediction,” “countires,” “declation,” and “Malaysian” when referring to the country’s figures. Repetition of “population” and “growth” also makes the account less precise; the graph measures the share of people living in cities, not population growth itself. Use terms such as “urban population,” “proportion,” “rose,” and “fluctuated” accurately, and check spelling and country-name forms. More precise vocabulary would help distinguish changes in urbanisation from changes in population size.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts a few longer structures, including “Overall, all the 3 countires shows constant growth in population, while Philippines shows little bit decline in population.” However, agreement and article errors are frequent: “all the … countries shows” should use a plural verb, and “Philippines shows” needs an article or possessive construction. The phrase “In 1990 both countries has…” also has incorrect tense and agreement, and the final sentence is left incomplete. Most sentences follow simple patterns, with little accurate variety in complex structures. Practise forming comparisons with correct subject–verb agreement and past-tense verbs, and use complete sentences with appropriate articles. Proofreading punctuation and sentence endings will also make the information easier to follow.

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