Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The line graph illustrates the proportion of Asian people's population living in cities between 1970 and 2020 and future expectations for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the ratio of population increased in the given time period and will rose in future also.

According to the line graph, there is a sharp increase in the percentage of Malaysian people living in cities from 1970 to 2020. Only 30 percent of them lived in 1970 and the number gradually increased to 70 percent in 2020 and will jump to 80 percent in 2040. Next, the chart indicates the percentage of population living in cities of Philippines and Thailand. It was 30 and 20 percent respectively in 1970. While, there was ups and downs in the percentage of the people living in cities between 1980 to 2020 and will escalate to 50 percent in the future. The ratio of Indonesian people living in cities will be 60 percent in 2040 as compared to merely around 12 percent in 1970.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the overall upward direction and include relevant comparisons, such as Malaysia rising from 30% to about 70% by 2020 and Indonesia reaching around 60% by 2040. However, the overview is too broad: the Philippines does not rise steadily, and Thailand’s growth is comparatively gradual. Several details are imprecise or grouped together: Malaysia is about 76% in 2020, not 70%; the Philippines and Thailand do not both reach 50% in the future (their 2040 figures are about 56% and 50%); and the Philippines fluctuates rather than simply showing general “ups and downs.” To strengthen the report, give a clearer overview of the countries’ differing patterns and select accurate, representative figures for each series.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic progression from an introduction and overview to details, and signposts such as “Overall” and “Next” help the reader follow the comparisons. However, the body combines the Philippines and Thailand in a way that makes it difficult to tell which trend or future figure belongs to which country. The final sentence about Indonesia is also added without a clear transition, while “While” begins a sentence fragment-like contrast after a full stop. Organise the details into clearer comparisons—for example, discuss Malaysia and Indonesia’s stronger growth together, then describe the Philippines’ fluctuation and Thailand’s slower rise. More precise linking and referencing would make the progression easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for describing a graph, including “proportion,” “sharp increase,” “gradually increased,” and “ups and downs.” These choices communicate the main subject and some changes, and the meaning is generally clear. However, several expressions are imprecise or unnatural for data reporting: “Asian people’s population” is awkward, “the number” refers to a percentage, and “will jump” overstates Malaysia’s projected rise. “Ratio” is also repeated where “percentage” or “proportion” would be more accurate. Aim for precise trend language and natural collocations, while avoiding dramatic verbs unless the data supports them. This would make the description more controlled and specific.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast with “While” and future predictions. However, some errors in verb forms, sentence construction, and punctuation remain. In “will rose,” the modal should be followed by the base form (“will rise”). “While, there was ups and downs” has incorrect punctuation and agreement; a clearer form would be “There were fluctuations.” The sentence beginning “While” is also not properly connected to the preceding idea. There are inconsistent tense choices when describing past data and forecasts. Use past tense for 1970–2020 and forms such as “is expected to” for predictions, and check subject–verb agreement and sentence boundaries.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.