Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The given line chart illustrates the population of cities in four different countries from South Asian region between 1970 and 2020, and the graph also predicts the future data between 2030 and 2040.

Overall, Malaysia accounted highest growth, followed by Phillippines, Indonesia and Thailand. From all four countries, Phillippines showed quite fluctuation over the years. While rest of the countries shown gradual increase over the period. Also, in future prediction all four countries have positive trend.

Regarding to Phillippines, it started around 30% of residents, and increased upto 50%, before going downwards in 1990. Between 2000 and 2020, the numbers were grew gradually at 40%. Also, in future, it will go around 50% in 2040.

Regarding to Malaysia, it was also started similar as Phillippines (just above 30%). During the year 1980 to 2020, accounted slow growth, at 70% (2020). In future, it will nearly come to 80%.

Regarding to Thailand, it started under 20%, but in later, it goes upto 30% in 40 years. In future, it predicts around above 40%.

Regarding to Indonesia, citizens were below 20% in 1970. Between 1980 and 2020, the numbers significantly grew upto 50%, with the 60% future predicition.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the overall upward movement in most countries and note that the Philippines fluctuates, while Malaysia has the strongest growth. These are relevant features, and you cover all four countries and the forecast period. However, some comparisons and figures are unclear or inaccurate: the Philippines rises to about 48% in 1990, not before falling in 1990, and its 2000–2020 figures fluctuate around the mid-40s rather than growing gradually at 40%. Malaysia reaches about 76% in 2020, not 70%, and is projected to exceed 80% by 2040. The overview also says Malaysia had the highest growth without clarifying that Indonesia’s rise is substantial too. Select key turning points and end values more precisely to make the summary fuller and clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for the four countries. This makes the information easy to locate, and phrases such as “Regarding to Malaysia” signal the topic of each paragraph. However, the country-by-country format leads to some repetition and limits direct comparisons between series. Cohesive links are occasionally mechanical, particularly the repeated “Regarding to” and “Also.” Some references are also unclear, as in “the numbers were grew gradually at 40%,” where the period and trend are difficult to follow. Grouping countries with similar patterns, and using clearer links such as “By contrast” or “Meanwhile,” would create a more connected progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “fluctuation,” “gradual increase,” “significantly grew,” and “future prediction.” These choices help communicate broad trends. However, several word choices and collocations are unnatural or imprecise, such as “population of cities,” “accounted highest growth,” “numbers were grew,” and “come to 80%.” “Residents” and “citizens” also do not accurately describe the percentage of a country’s population living in urban areas. Spelling errors in “Phillippines” and “predicition” further reduce accuracy. Aim for precise chart language, for example “urban population,” “rose to,” and “is projected to reach,” and check spelling before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex forms, including the contrast in “While rest of the countries shown gradual increase” and the time clauses describing changes. However, errors in verb forms, articles, and sentence construction recur and sometimes make relationships between figures unclear. Examples include “Malaysia accounted highest growth,” “it was also started,” and “the numbers were grew gradually.” The clause beginning “While rest of the countries…” is also incomplete as written, and “Regarding to” uses an incorrect preposition pattern. Practise forming accurate past-tense trend sentences and complete clauses, such as “Malaysia recorded the largest increase” and “The other countries showed gradual growth.” More reliable control of these basic patterns would make your varied sentence attempts clearer.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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