Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-26

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 illustrate that in increase in population in Asian countries in the year 1970 and 2020, in make predication for upcoming year 2030 and 2040.

As seen in chart Philippines topped the chart by 32% of Asian population in1970 who lived in cities. In 1990 Philippines contained half of Asian population who lived in city area. After that the number were of people decrease and after some years the old trend continued and the expected number will reach to 55% in 2040. The second highest people were lived urban area was in Malaysia 30% which little less than previous country. The amount of individuals were gradually rose and achieved the highest share in population compare to other Asian nation in the year 2020 which was nearly 75%, and it follow the same trend to 2040 and take around 80% of Asian population to the urban region in Malaysia.

Thailand was under 20% of people who lived in cities in 1970, this number rose with some ups and down and will reach to the 50% in 2040. Indonesia bottomed in both 1970 and 2040, the population of Indonesia who lives in urban areas followed same trend like Thailand and with some fluctuation the and touch 45% in 32040.

Overall, the number of people who lives in cities is highest in Malaysia and Indonesia remain to lowest number of individual who lives in urban region

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify several relevant trends, including Malaysia’s strong rise, the Philippines’ fluctuation, and Thailand’s increase, and you include some figures to support these points. However, the account only partly fulfils the task because it lacks a clear, accurate overview of the main comparisons across the whole period. For example, Indonesia did not remain the lowest in 2040: it is projected to reach about 64%, above the Philippines and Thailand. The claim that it “bottomed in both 1970 and 2040” is therefore inaccurate, as is the later estimate of 45% in “32040”; the chart shows about 64% in 2040. Also, the percentages refer to each country’s population living in cities, not the Asian population as a whole. State the overall ranking and major changes accurately before selecting supporting details.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure: it discusses the Philippines and Malaysia, then Thailand and Indonesia, and ends with an overall statement. This gives the reader some organisation, and time markers such as “In 1990” and “After that” help show sequence. However, progression is uneven because the final overview repeats a ranking that conflicts with the body, and the country comparisons are not consistently clear. Phrases such as “the second highest people” and “this number” make it difficult to identify whether you mean a population share or a number of people. Some linking is also mechanical, with repeated “and” constructions. Grouping the main upward trends together and explicitly contrasting them with the Philippines’ fluctuation would make the report easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “urban area,” “share,” “gradually,” and “fluctuation,” and you attempt to describe change rather than simply list figures. However, the range and control are limited, with repeated references to “people,” “number,” and “population,” and several inaccurate or unnatural expressions. For instance, “Philippines topped the chart by 32% of Asian population” mislabels the data, while “the old trend continued” is vague and “bottomed” is not suitable for describing the country’s projected position. There are also spelling and word-form errors such as “predication” and “upcoming year.” Use precise terms such as “urban population share,” “rose steadily,” and “was projected to reach,” and check spelling and collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, but control is inconsistent, and errors frequently make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. The opening, “The line chart illustrate that in increase,” has problems with subject–verb agreement and sentence construction. Other examples include “the number were of people decrease,” “The amount of individuals were gradually rose,” and “Indonesia remain to lowest number,” where verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence patterns are faulty. Some sentences also combine several ideas without clear punctuation, as in the final sentence about Indonesia. Practise building accurate basic clauses first, then add subordinate clauses for comparisons and projections. For example: “Malaysia’s urban share rose steadily and is projected to reach about 84% by 2040.”

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