Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-24

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 figure illustrates the population density of people residing in cities in Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for next 20 years till 2040.

Overall, across all four Asian countries it was a steep upside trend of growing population in cities. The predictions also displayed a growing trend of people living in the cities.

In the year 1970, Philipines had highest percentage of population living in cities which was slightly above 30 percent, followed by Malaysia at exactly 30 percent. Malaysia then saw a great upward trend with around 75 percent population living in the cities in the year 2020 and predictions surging upto 80 percent till 2040.Philippines also experienced a growth in population in cities which peaked at around 50 percent in 1990 followed by a downward trajectory. In the year 2020 Philippines had around 45 percent population living in the cities and predictions went upto 50 percent in the year 2040.

On the other hand, Thailand and Indonesia had mere about 20 and 15 percentageof population living in citites in the year 1970.Both countries then experienced an upward push with Indonesia being the second largest amongst all four with around 50 percent of population in the cities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the overall rise in urban populations and report several relevant comparisons, including Malaysia’s strong growth and the Philippines’ peak around 1990 followed by a decline. The figures for 1970 and 2020 are generally close to the chart. However, the overview is too broad: the claim that all four countries had a “steep” upward trend overlooks Thailand’s relatively gradual increase, and the final paragraph does not give a clear account of Thailand’s later figures or its forecast. Some details are also imprecise: Malaysia is projected to reach about 84%, rather than merely 80%, by 2040, while Indonesia is forecast to rise to about 64%. Select the most important contrasts and cover the forecast period for each country more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear basic structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs grouping the countries. The sequence from the starting figures to later changes is mostly easy to follow, and phrases such as “On the other hand” signal a comparison. However, the final paragraph ends abruptly after Indonesia’s 2020 figure, leaving the reader without a complete account of Thailand or either country’s predictions. Some linking is also mechanical, with repeated “In the year” and “then.” Improve progression by grouping the main trends more deliberately and using concise references such as “By 2020” or “In contrast”; ensure each paragraph develops a complete comparison rather than stopping partway through the period.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for describing trends, including “upward trend,” “peaked,” “downward trajectory,” and “predictions.” These choices make the main movements understandable, and you attempt some less common expressions. At times, however, wording is imprecise or unnatural: “population density” is not the same as the proportion of people living in cities, and “upside trend,” “upward push,” and “mere about” are awkward choices. There are also spelling and form errors, including “Philipines,” “citites,” and “percentageof.” Use accurate chart language consistently, and check spelling and spacing. More precise terms for gradual or substantial change would help make comparisons clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses with “which” and “with,” and the main meaning is generally clear. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly with articles, agreement, and sentence construction. For example, “in Philippines” needs an article, while “it was a steep upside trend” has an unclear grammatical structure; “Malaysia then saw a great upward trend with around 75 percent population” also needs a clearer construction and an article before “population.” Punctuation and spacing are inconsistent, notably where “2040.Philippines” runs together. Review article use and build trend descriptions with reliable patterns such as “the proportion rose to…” or “Malaysia’s figure increased…” while retaining your attempts at complex sentences.

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