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 illustrates the percentage of the population living in cities in four Asian countries, namely the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the ratio of people living in cities is gradually increased in four cities. Malaysia show the highest of population in urban ares. While Indonesia population rapidly increased after 2,000. Thailand hs lowest population.

In 1970, approximately 30% pop[ulation of Malasia and philippines lived in cities. The population of Malasia steadily increased around about 40% also they cannot stoped. They can reached at its highest point in 2040. Moreover, the population of philppines increased round about 48%. After that they can approaching to reduced in 2010.

However, the other two cities has lowest population. Thailand population is approximately 18% in 1970. They can be increased up to 22% in 1992. After that population of Thailand bit reduced. Unfortunately, a small amount of population increased in 2040. The population of Indonesia was increased about 60% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the chart’s subject and include an overview, noting Malaysia’s high urban share and Indonesia’s rapid growth. However, the overview is not fully accurate: the figures do not rise steadily in all four countries, since the Philippines falls after 1990 before recovering, and Thailand is not the lowest by the end. Several key comparisons are missing, especially Malaysia’s clear lead in 2040 and Indonesia’s rise to second place. Some figures are also misreported: the Philippines reaches about 48% in 1990, not after that point, and Thailand is around 23.5% in 1980 rather than 1992. Select the main turning points and compare the countries more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and two detail paragraphs. The contrast signalled by “However” also helps separate the countries. However, the progression within paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow, and the grouping of Malaysia with the Philippines and then Thailand with Indonesia does not consistently support clear comparisons. References such as “they” and “the other two cities” are unclear because the subjects are countries or populations. Some linking phrases, including “Moreover” and “Unfortunately,” do not express a clear relationship between the data. Organise the details by meaningful trends and use explicit country names to make comparisons easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant chart vocabulary, including “percentage,” “predictions,” “increased” and “highest point,” so the topic is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, such as “the highest of population,” “population of urban ares” and “a small amount of population increased.” Repetition of “population” and “increased” also makes the account less precise. Spelling errors such as “Malasia,” “philppines” and “hs” are noticeable and can distract the reader. Build a more accurate set of terms for describing proportions and trends, and check spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including the contrast beginning “While Indonesia population rapidly increased…” and the sentence starting “After that.” However, control is limited, and errors occur frequently across the response. Examples include “the ratio … is gradually increased,” “Malaysia show,” “they cannot stoped” and “They can reached,” which show problems with tense, agreement and verb forms. Articles and sentence construction are also unreliable, as in “the other two cities has lowest population.” These errors sometimes make the intended meaning harder to interpret. Practise accurate past-tense descriptions and subject–verb agreement first, then use a few controlled complex sentences to connect comparisons.

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