Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-29

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 6.0)

The line graph illustrates the percentage of population of cities in four Asian countries i.e. Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia during 1970 to 2020, and predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, population of Philippines was highest in 1970 with that of Malaysia being second highest and ultimately reaching highest in 2040. Indonesia had lowest population in 1970 but it increased to reach second highest in 2040. While, Thailand had lowest population in 2040.

In 1970, Philippines had population of 32% greater than all other countries, with Malaysia being the second one with 30%. Thailand had 18% of population and Indonesia having lowest of all at 14%. The percentage of population of all countries increased and reached 70%, 50%, 45% and 30% in Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand respectively.

There were predictions that the percentage of population will increase and reach up to 85% in Malaysia being the most populated country in 2040. While, there will be significant increase in population of Indonesia being lowest populated country in 1970 and second most populated country in 2040 with 60%. Thailand will have lowest population of all countries up to 50% in 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response identifies the main overall shifts: Malaysia becomes the highest, Indonesia rises from the lowest starting point to second place, and Thailand is lowest by 2040. It also includes useful starting figures and some later comparisons. However, several details are inaccurate or imprecise: the 2020 figures are presented as 70%, 50%, 45% and 30%, although the chart shows approximately 76%, 52%, 45.5% and 33.5%; the 70% figure appears to refer to 2010 Malaysia. The forecast for Indonesia is given as 60% rather than about 64%, and the claim that all countries increased overlooks the Philippines’ decline after 1990. More accurate reporting of key stages and the Philippines’ fluctuation would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear four-part structure, moving from an introduction to an overview and then to historical and forecast details. This gives the reader a generally coherent progression, and comparisons such as Malaysia’s rise and Indonesia’s changing position help connect the information. However, some linking is mechanical or awkward: the overview uses “While” as a sentence opening without completing a clear contrast, and the final paragraph repeats the same forecast pattern rather than grouping the countries’ trends efficiently. The reference in “The percentage of population of all countries increased and reached…” is also unclear because the figures are not tied explicitly to a year. Organising the body by contrasting trends, and using clearer links between dates and figures, would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary is sufficient to describe the graph, with relevant terms such as “percentage,” “predictions,” “increased,” and “reaching.” There are also attempts to vary expression, including “significant increase” and “second most populated.” However, several choices are imprecise or unnatural for describing urbanisation. “Population of cities” and “most populated country” suggest total population rather than the share living in cities, while “being the second one” is vague. Repetition of “population” and “increase” also limits flexibility. Use precise trend language and collocations, such as “urban population share,” “accounted for,” and “rose to,” while ensuring that comparisons refer to the proportion living in cities.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts a mix of simple and more complex structures, including clauses with “while” and participial phrases such as “with Malaysia being the second one.” The main meaning is generally understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. Examples include missing articles in “percentage of population,” the awkward construction “Philippines had population of 32%,” and the incomplete contrast beginning “While, there will be significant increase…”. Tense control is also inconsistent when describing the chart: past trends and future predictions are sometimes combined without a clear shift. Improve article use and sentence completeness, and use past tense for recorded data and future forms for forecasts. These changes would make the varied sentence forms more controlled.

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