Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The line graph illustrates the proportion of the demographic in Philippines, Malyasia, Thiland and Indonesia who live in cities between 1970 and 2020 with prediction for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, growth has been noticed in every country. In all of them more people are prefering to live in cities over the years while Malaysia showed highest growth and Thiland the least growth.

In 1970, around 30% of the people were living in cities in Malyasia which is the second highest rate while Philippines had the highest number of people living in cities which was slightly over 30%. By the next decade Malyasia surpassed Phillipines and lead the chart with 40% city dwellers. In 1990 Malyasia continued to grow upward but in a slower pace. Afterwards, it's growth skyrocketed and continued to lead the other countries with the prediction that by 2040 more than 80% of Malaysian people will be living in cities which is the highest percentage in the chart. On the other hand, Philippines growth stabilized in 1980 and after that it witnessed a surge in 1990 with close to 50% of its population living in cities. However, it went downward for the next two decade. It reached around 43% in 2010 and then again started to go upward. Experts predicted that this upward trend will continue and by 2040 it will reach close to 55%.

Indonesia presented the most dramatic growth. It started with around 12% of the population living in cities which was the least percentage among the four countries and by the end it is predicted to reach around 60% which is the second highest number. It followed a upward trend till 2000 which then saw a sharp rise, that continued till 2040. Thiland is another country that showed variation in its growth. It started with little below 20% and grew to less than 30% in 1990. the growth slowed down and reached around 30% in 2020. It is predicted to go through a sharp rise and reach around 42% by 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You provide a clear overview that all four countries become more urbanised, with Malaysia showing the strongest rise and Thailand the weakest. The response also selects useful comparisons and follows each country’s trend, including the Philippines’ rise and subsequent dip and Indonesia’s marked increase. Most figures are broadly consistent with the graph. However, some details are inaccurate or imprecise: Malaysia was already ahead of the Philippines in 1970, rather than the Philippines having the highest rate; Indonesia reaches about 64%, not around 60%, in 2040; and Thailand is projected to reach about 50%, rather than 42%. The overview also overgeneralises by saying growth occurred in every country, despite the Philippines’ decline between 1990 and 2010. More precise comparisons and a sharper overview would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The report is organised into an introduction, an overview and two body paragraphs, and the country groupings make the information easy to follow. Time markers such as “By the next decade,” “Afterwards” and “On the other hand” help show sequence and contrast. The progression is generally clear, although some linking is mechanical and a few references are not fully precise. For example, “It followed a upward trend till 2000 which then saw a sharp rise” makes the reference of “which” unclear: the year itself did not see the rise, but Indonesia’s figure increased after 2000. The final paragraph also moves between Indonesia and Thailand without a strong comparison. Use clearer subject references and connect the countries through direct comparisons to make cohesion more flexible.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a suitable range of vocabulary for describing trends, including “surge,” “stabilized,” “dramatic growth” and “upward trend.” These choices help communicate the main movements, and the meaning remains clear despite some inaccurate or awkward expressions. For instance, “the proportion of the demographic” is not a natural way to describe the share of a population, while “growth skyrocketed” is too strong for Malaysia’s steady rise after 1990. There are also spelling errors in country names, including “Malyasia,” “Thiland” and “Phillipines,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for precise, conventional chart language and check spelling carefully; terms such as “urban population” and “rose sharply” would be more natural in this context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentences, including time clauses and contrasts, as in “By the next decade…” and “However, it went downward for the next two decade.” Most sentences communicate the intended trend, but some grammatical errors remain. Examples include “more people are prefering” (the verb form should be “prefer”), “Malaysia showed highest growth” (missing article), “in a slower pace” (incorrect preposition), and “a upward trend” (article agreement). There are also tense and agreement inconsistencies, such as “it is predicted” alongside past-tense descriptions, and “two decade” instead of a plural form. Review articles, verb forms, agreement and punctuation, while retaining the varied sentence structures you already attempt.

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