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

Overall, proportion of people living in cities are expected to incarese in all countries. Malaysia will have highest percenatge in 2040 while Thailand will have lowest percenatge of residents. Indonesia has lowest percenatges in past and also will have in future.

In 1970, around 30% population were living in 1970 both Philippines and Malaysians. Comapred with approximately 18% in Thailand and 13% in Indonesia. Malaysia has 30% in 1970 and rose 60% in 2000 and is predicted to go 83% by 2040.

The percentage of Philippines increased to nearly 48% in 1990 and then decreased about 40% and is then expected to go 52% in 2040. Indonesia's figure has lowest value about 12% initially and increased gradually about 60% in the end. Meanwhile, Thailand has 9% in 1970 and is predicted to go 48% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the general upward trend and correctly note Malaysia’s projected lead by 2040. However, the overview contains a significant contradiction: it says Indonesia had the lowest figures in the past and “also will have” the lowest in future, although Thailand is lower than Indonesia in 2040. Several details are also inaccurate: Thailand began at about 18%, not 9%; Indonesia rose to about 64%, not 60%; and the Philippines is projected at roughly 56%, rather than 52%. The response also gives limited comparison across the four countries and does not meet the 150-word minimum: 141 words were counted, with 24 copied prompt words excluded. Include a fuller, accurate overview and support it with key comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to selected details, and linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Compared with,” and “Meanwhile” show an attempt to connect information. However, progression is not consistently clear. The sentence beginning “In 1970” repeats the year and then gives a fragment (“Compared with approximately…”), while the final paragraph moves between countries without a clear comparison framework. Some connections are also confusing, particularly the overview’s claim that Indonesia remains lowest in the future. Organise the body by comparing related trends—for example, Malaysia’s strong rise against the Philippines’ fluctuation, then Indonesia and Thailand—and use complete, clearly linked sentences.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “percentage,” “increased,” “decreased,” and “predicted,” so the reader can generally understand the topic and direction of change. However, the range is limited and some word choices or forms are inaccurate or repetitive. “Highest percentage” and “lowest percentages” are repeated, while “go 83%” and “figure has lowest value” are not natural ways to describe data. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “incarese,” “percenatge,” and “Comapred,” which reduce the accuracy of the report. Aim for precise trend language and check spelling carefully; alternatives such as “rise to,” “reach,” and “remain the lowest” would make comparisons clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response mainly uses simple sentences and attempts some longer structures, such as “Malaysia has 30% in 1970 and rose 60% in 2000,” but control is inconsistent. Errors include missing articles and awkward noun phrases (“around 30% population”), subject–verb disagreement (“proportion … are expected”), and incorrect tense consistency (“Malaysia has 30% … and rose”). The sentence “Compared with approximately 18% in Thailand…” is incomplete, and “the percentage of Philippines” lacks the article needed before the country name. These errors sometimes make relationships between figures difficult to follow. Practise complete comparative sentences, consistent past-tense reporting for historical data, and accurate agreement and article use.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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