Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The line chart illustrates the proportion of people who lives in urban areas between 1970 and 2020 in four countries in Asia, with forecasts from 2030 to 2040.

Overall, all countries rose from 1970 to 2020 and would continue to grow between 2030 and 2040. Only the Philippines fluctuated . It increased well above 40% in 1990 but decreased around 40% in 2010 then rise gradually.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the topic and give a brief overview, noting that the Philippines fluctuated while the other countries generally increased. However, the response reports almost no comparative data: it does not describe Malaysia’s strong rise to the highest projected figure, Indonesia’s marked growth, or Thailand’s more gradual increase. The claim that “all countries rose from 1970 to 2020” is broadly true, but the overview is too general to show the main differences, and the Philippines’ later recovery is only briefly mentioned. The response is also substantially below the required 150 words, leaving the task minimally addressed. To improve, include an overview of the countries’ relative positions and support it with selected figures from the beginning, middle and end of the period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introductory sentence is followed by an overview, and the ideas are broadly relevant to the chart. The use of “Overall” helps signal the summary, while “but” introduces the contrast about the Philippines. However, the response ends after this short overview, so there is no developed progression through the main comparisons or forecast period. The second sentence also combines several trends without clearly distinguishing the countries, which makes the information feel compressed. Build separate body paragraphs grouping the strongest upward trends and the Philippines’ fluctuation, and use clear links such as “By contrast” or “Meanwhile” to guide the reader through comparisons.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “proportion,” “urban areas,” “forecasts,” “fluctuated” and “gradually,” and the meaning is generally clear. The range is nevertheless limited because the short response relies on broad expressions such as “rose” and “grow” rather than precise language for comparing trends and levels. Some phrasing is also unnatural: “increased well above 40%” is less precise than describing the figure as reaching a particular level, and “decreased around 40%” does not clearly express whether it fell to or by that amount. Use a wider set of accurate trend and comparison phrases, such as “climbed sharply,” “remained comparatively stable,” and “overtook,” where the data supports them.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes a simple opening sentence and a more complex overview using “while,” “but” and “then,” showing some attempt to vary sentence structure. However, grammatical control is uneven. In “the proportion of people who lives,” the verb does not agree with the plural noun “people”; “then rise gradually” also needs a past-tense verb to match the sequence. The space before the full stop in “fluctuated .” is a punctuation error. These issues do not prevent the reader from understanding the main point, but they reduce accuracy. Check subject–verb agreement and keep verb tenses consistent when describing past data and future projections; adding a few well-controlled comparative sentences would also demonstrate a broader range.

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