Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-25

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 graph illustrates information about the percentages of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the four Asian countries such as Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia shows the percentages of population. It is clear that Philipines had higher population in 1970 as compared to the other countries, whereas in 2020 Malaysia had higher population then the other countries and may increased in 2030 and 2040.

Indonesia had around 14% of population in 1970 and it increased approximately to 15% in 1980. Indonesian population accounted for 20% in 1990 and in 2000 the population went up to 25%. After, the country had 40% of citizens in 2010, 50% in 2020 and may increased to approximate 57% in 2030 and 60% in 2040. Then, the Thailand had around 20% population in 1970. It increased to 20% in 1980 , 22% in 1980.the population of the country was rose to approximate 28% and remain stable in 2000. After, it went up to 30% in 2010, 31% in 2020 and may the population was increased to 45% in the end of 2040.

In 1970, Malaysia accounted for 30% citizens and rapidly increased to 40% in 1980. Therefore, it slightly upward to 42% in 1990 and rapidly went up to 60% in 2000. The country represented 70% of population in 2010 , 75% in 2020 and have some possibilities that the population was increase to 80% in 2030 and roughly 83% in 2040. Lastly, Philippines accounted for approximately 31% of total population in 1970 and slightly increased to 32% in 1980. The country had 50% population in 1990, 55% in 2000 and 40% in 2010. Philippines represented 42% population in 2020 and predicts that it increased to 45% in 2030 and around 50% in 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the graph’s subject and include an overview comparing the countries, noting Malaysia’s leading position in 2020 and its projected rise. You also report figures for all four series, so the response is relevant to the task. However, the overview is limited and some key trends are inaccurately described: the Philippines was not highest in 1970 (it was slightly above Malaysia, but the claim of a higher “population” confuses urban share with population size), and Malaysia’s share rose rather than merely “slightly upward” between 1980 and 1990. Several figures and dates are also misreported, including the Philippines reaching 55% in 2000 and the final Philippines figure being assigned to 2020. A clearer overview of the contrasting trajectories and more accurate selection of data would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has an introduction, an overview and separate sections that discuss the countries, giving it some recognisable organisation. However, the progression is not consistently clear: the body moves from Indonesia to Thailand, then Malaysia and the Philippines without a clear grouping or comparison between trends. Linking words such as “After,” “Then,” “Therefore” and “Lastly” are repeated or used in ways that do not always show the relationship between figures. The Thailand paragraph is especially difficult to follow because it repeats 1980 and shifts between years without a clear sequence. Organise the data into logical groups, keep each country’s figures in chronological order, and use linking phrases to express comparisons rather than simply listing events.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant vocabulary for describing a line graph, including “increased,” “accounted for,” “represented” and “remain stable.” This gives you a basic range for reporting changes. However, several choices are repetitive or imprecise, and some phrases make the meaning awkward, such as “higher population” when you mean a higher percentage living in cities, and “some possibilities that the population was increase.” There are also spelling and word-form problems, including “Philipines” and “Indonesian population” where the country name is intended. Aim for precise terms such as “urban proportion” and vary trend language appropriately. Check spelling and collocations, and avoid using “population” as a substitute for the percentage shown.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the reader can generally identify the countries and years being discussed. However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently in verb forms, agreement and sentence construction. For example, “the four Asian countries … shows” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “may increased” and “the population was rose” use incorrect verb forms. The sentence about Thailand—“It increased to 20% in 1980, 22% in 1980”—also has unclear structure and repeats the year. Punctuation and spacing around commas are inconsistent. Practise accurate past-tense reporting for historical data and use “is projected to” for forecasts; then check each sentence for a clear subject and correctly formed verb.

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