Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-28

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 illutrates the percentage of citizens living in Philippines , Malaysia, Thailand and indonesia between 1970 and 2020 along with the forecast of total population for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, Indonesia has seen dramatic increase in its population in contrast to the Thailand, which has the lowest number of citizens. While Malaysia and Philippines has almost same propotion in 1970, Malaysia become highly populous around 2020. It is forcasted to experience more surge in population then the rest of the countries.

On one hand, Indonesia has the least population around 13% in 1970; however it increase to 50% in 2020. Philippines the largest population 32% in 1970 and gradually increased to 40% in 2020.

On other hand, Thailand having almost 19% of residents in 1970 it gradually increased to around 25% till 2020. I tis forcasted that by 2040 Malaysia will become largest populated country and Indo

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the countries and give a basic overview, noting Indonesia’s strong rise and Malaysia’s projected lead. However, the response reports several figures or comparisons inaccurately: the Philippines is about 45.5%, not 40%, in 2020, and Thailand reaches about 33.5%, not 25%. The overview also incorrectly describes Thailand as having the lowest number of citizens; the graph shows the share of people living in cities, and Indonesia is lowest at the start. Important trends are omitted, including Malaysia’s sustained rise and the Philippines’ dip after 1990. The final sentence is unfinished, and the response is one word below the required minimum. Select and accurately compare the main trends, and complete the forecast discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is some organisation: an introduction is followed by an overview and then paragraphs beginning “On one hand” and “On other hand.” These divisions give the reader a basic sense of structure. However, progression is limited because the body paragraphs do not consistently group or compare the countries’ trends, and the final paragraph ends abruptly at “Indo,” leaving the forecast incomplete. Linking phrases such as “however” and “in contrast” are used, but some connections do not clearly express the relationship between the data. For example, the contrast between Indonesia’s rise and Thailand’s figures is not developed into a clear comparison. Organise the body around meaningful trend groups and use complete sentences to connect comparisons.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “percentage,” “in contrast,” “gradually increased,” and “forecasted,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, word choice and collocation are often imprecise: “population” and “number of citizens” suggest total population rather than the proportion living in cities, while “largest populated country” is not a natural description of this measure. Spelling errors such as “illutrates,” “propotion,” and “forcasted,” along with the unfinished “Indo,” reduce accuracy. The range is also repetitive, particularly in the repeated use of “increased.” Use precise terms such as “urban population share” and “percentage,” and check spelling and collocations before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a few complex sentence forms, including “While Malaysia and Philippines has almost same propotion in 1970, Malaysia become highly populous around 2020,” and use contrast clauses with “however.” However, errors in agreement, tense, articles and sentence construction are frequent. Examples include “Malaysia and Philippines has,” “Malaysia become,” and “it increase”; the phrase “Philippines the largest population 32%” is also missing a verb. The final sentence is incomplete, and punctuation spacing is inconsistent. These problems sometimes make relationships between the figures difficult to follow. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and subject–verb agreement, and ensure each sentence has a complete clause before adding more complex structures.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.