Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · 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 4.0)

The line graph gives data about the percentage of peoples living in cities between 1970 and 2020 with predictions for 2030 and 2040

Total % of population 0 to 90 we have 4 countries philippines,malaysia,thailand and indonesia.

In 1970 philippines on top of table with 32% numbers of peoples in this city on second 30 percentage populations of malaysia thailand have 18% at last indonesia with 12% in 1980 malaysia with highest percentage 40% philippines have 33% ,thailand 22% at the end indonesia with 12%

In 1990 philippines near 50% then malaysia with 45%,thailand 30 % and indonesia with 24%

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

You identify the graph’s subject and name all four countries, and you report some early figures and comparisons, such as the Philippines being highest in 1970 and Malaysia leading in 1980. However, the response covers only 1970–1990, leaving out the substantial later changes and all predictions for 2030 and 2040. It also has no clear overview of the main trends. Some figures are inaccurate: Indonesia is shown at about 14% in 1970 and 17% in 1980, not 12% in both years. The response is 50 words below the required minimum, which contributes to the limited coverage. To improve, include an overview and select key figures across the full period, especially Malaysia’s strong rise and Indonesia’s later growth.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The response follows a basic chronological order, moving from 1970 to 1990, and the country comparisons within each period give the reader some structure. However, it is presented as one continuous block, with no clear paragraphing or separate overview. The repeated pattern of listing countries and figures does not develop into a clear progression across the whole graph, and the final sentence stops after 1990. Some links between ideas are also unclear, as in “on second 30 percentage populations of malaysia.” Use an overview paragraph followed by a body paragraph organised by major trends or time periods, and connect comparisons with clear phrases such as “whereas” and “by contrast.”

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use relevant basic terms such as “percentage,” “highest,” and “predictions,” and the country names make the subject clear. However, vocabulary is limited and some word choices or collocations are inaccurate, including “peoples living in cities,” “numbers of peoples in this city,” and “on top of table.” These expressions make parts of the report awkward or unclear. Use standard graph-reporting language, for example “the proportion of the population living in urban areas,” “stood at,” and “recorded the highest figure.” Check spelling and capitalisation of country names, particularly “Philippines,” “Malaysia,” “Thailand,” and “Indonesia.” A wider range of accurate trend verbs would also help describe changes beyond simply listing percentages.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response communicates some basic comparisons through simple clauses, but grammatical control is inconsistent and sentence structures are very limited. For example, “In 1980 malaysia with highest percentage 40% philippines have 33%” lacks a complete, consistently formed sentence, while “thailand 30 % and indonesia with 24%” is a fragment. Articles and sentence boundaries are often missing, and punctuation does not reliably separate the information. There is little evidence of more varied structures, such as clauses comparing trends over time. Practise writing complete sentences with a clear subject and verb—for example, “In 1980, Malaysia had the highest figure, at about 40%, while the Philippines stood at 33%”—and use consistent past-tense forms for historical data.

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