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 graph compares the population in Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia between 1970 to2020, also an estimation is made for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the population experienced an upward trend throughout the period. The population in Philippines fluctuate, while Thailand grew considerably. The population in Malaysia escalate for certain years and increased dramatically. The population in Indonesia was lowest, but at the end of the period, it dominates Philippines and Thailand.

In 1970, the population in Indonesia was lowest, at 11%, by 2000, the population increased to 25%, and it was equall to the population of Thailand. In 2010, the population had grown steadily to 40% and was equal to the population of Philippines , up 15%. At the end of the period, Indonesia dominates Thailand, Philippi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the countries and give a broad overview, noting that the Philippines fluctuates and that Indonesia eventually overtakes Thailand and the Philippines. However, the response covers the graph only partially: it ends before completing the final comparison and gives little account of Malaysia, whose rise to the highest level is a major feature. Some figures are also inaccurate: Indonesia is about 14% in 1970, not 11%, and about 30.5% in 2000, not 25%; in 2010 it is slightly above the Philippines, rather than equal. The response is also 22 words below the required minimum. To develop the report, include the main changes across all four countries and support the overview with accurate comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic structure, with an introduction, an overview and a paragraph of figures, and the sequence from 1970 to 2010 is generally chronological. However, progression is limited because the final paragraph stops mid-comparison, leaving the report incomplete, and Malaysia is not developed in the detail section. Linking and referencing are also sometimes awkward: “by 2000” and “In 2010” help signal time, but repeated use of “the population” makes the writing less smooth. The overview lists several trends without clearly grouping the countries or highlighting their relative positions. Complete the final comparison and organise the details into clear stages or country groupings, using links such as “whereas” and “by contrast” accurately.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing trends, including “upward trend,” “fluctuate,” “grew considerably” and “increased dramatically.” These choices show an attempt to vary your language, but several expressions are imprecise or do not fit the graph naturally. “The population” suggests total numbers rather than the percentage living in cities, while “dominates” is not an appropriate way to describe one country’s figure exceeding another’s. “Escalate” is also an unnatural choice for a gradual rise in a data series. There are spelling and word-form slips, including “equall” and “Philippi.” Use precise terms such as “urban population share,” “rose,” and “was higher than,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response includes simple statements and some attempts at more complex structures, such as “while Thailand grew considerably” and “but at the end of the period.” However, grammatical control is uneven, and errors sometimes make the intended meaning harder to follow. The opening uses the incorrect time construction “between 1970 to2020”; use “between 1970 and 2020” or “from 1970 to 2020.” In “the population in Philippines fluctuate,” the article and verb form are incorrect, and “an estimation is made” does not clearly express the forecast period. The final sentence is incomplete, and spacing around punctuation is inconsistent. Practise accurate past-tense descriptions and complete sentences before adding more complex clauses.

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