Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

the line graph illustrates percentage of population in four different countries living in urban from 1970 to 2020 also predicted for 2030 and 2040

Overall,malaysia were the heights percentage of population. Whereas thailand had the lowest percentage of total population afterwards malaysia expected to increase steadily between 2030 and 2040

looking first at the figures malaysia rise significantly in 1970 this percentage is 30 percent then this is increase whole over the year in 1990 malaysia drop marginally then increase dramatically in 2020 is the height population percentage. in contrast phili

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

You identify the topic and time span, and your overview attempts to compare the countries by noting Malaysia’s high urban share and Thailand’s low one. However, the overview is inaccurate or unclear: Malaysia is not the highest throughout the period, and Thailand is not the lowest at the end, when the Philippines is slightly lower. The body also misreports Malaysia’s trend: it rises from about 30% in 1970, with no drop in 1990, and reaches about 76% in 2020. The response ends mid-sentence at “in contrast phili” and omits most series and comparisons, so the task is only minimally covered. It is also 59 words below the required minimum. Include a complete overview and key figures for all four countries.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response, with an opening, an overview, and a body paragraph beginning “looking first at the figures.” The contrast marker “in contrast” also signals a comparison. However, the progression is difficult to follow because the body focuses on Malaysia, then stops abruptly at “in contrast phili,” without completing the comparison or summarising the other countries. The overview’s “Whereas” creates an incomplete contrast, and the ideas are not grouped into a clear account of the main trends. Use separate, purposeful paragraphs for the overview and grouped comparisons, and connect each point explicitly—for example, compare Malaysia’s strong rise with Indonesia’s steady growth.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “percentage,” “predicted,” “increase,” “drop marginally,” and “in contrast,” so the reader can recognise that you are describing a line graph. However, the range is limited and several choices or forms make the meaning less clear, such as “living in urban,” “the heights percentage,” and “the height population percentage.” Repetition of “percentage” and “increase” also limits precision. Choose standard collocations for describing data, such as “the proportion of the population living in cities,” “the highest figure,” and “rose steadily.” Check country-name spelling and capitalisation, particularly “Malaysia” and “Philippines,” to make the report easier to read.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts a few different sentence forms, including an overview with “Whereas” and a comparison introduced by “in contrast.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors in agreement, tense, articles, and sentence construction frequently affect clarity. For example, “malaysia were the heights percentage” has faulty agreement and an incomplete noun phrase, while “this is increase whole over the year” does not form a grammatical clause. The long body sentence also shifts between present and past forms and lacks clear punctuation. Use simple, accurate past-tense sentences for recorded years and “is expected to” for forecasts. Practise complete clauses and check subject–verb agreement before adding more complex structures.

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