Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The graph illustrates the percentage of the population in four asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, including prediction for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, Malaysia stands at the highest point, while, Indonesia at the lowest in 90s. Philippines and Thailand stands between the highest and lowest.

The percentage of the population living in cities sharply increased from 1970 to 2020 and reached at 75%, However, it is predicted that it will reach to almost 85% by the year of 2040. Indonesia's percentage remained the lowest 2000 but, after that it showed a dramatical change by reaching the year of 2020 and its percentage jumped from 25% to 50% and it is predicted that it will jump to 60% by the year of 2040.

Philippines' percentage seemed to be fluctuating between 1990 and 2010 but then it slightly increased by 2020 which pushed it to 45% and predication is that it will reach to 50% in 2040. Thailand's percentage remained almost contant between 1970 and 2020 and reached to 30% in 2020, However it is predicted that it will show dramatical changes in future ad it will reach to 50% till 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad upward trend and include relevant comparisons, such as Malaysia reaching about 75% by 2020 and Indonesia rising markedly after 2000. However, the overview is not fully accurate: Malaysia is highest, but Indonesia is lowest in 1970 and 1980, not in the 1990s, when Thailand is lower. Several details also misreport the graph: Thailand is about 33.5% in 2020, not 30%, and its growth is gradual rather than almost flat; the Philippines is forecast to reach about 55.5% in 2040, not 50%. The response therefore selects relevant features but reports some inaccurately and leaves the overall comparison underdeveloped. Check each series and distinguish historical figures from forecasts.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing the countries’ trends. This helps the reader follow the general subject, and phrases such as “after that” and “between 1990 and 2010” provide some sequencing. However, the overview is vague and does not establish a clear comparison across the four countries. The body moves from Malaysia to Indonesia and then to the Philippines and Thailand, but the relationships between these trends are not made explicit. Some linking is also awkward or mechanical, particularly repeated uses of “However” and “it is predicted.” Grouping the countries by contrasting patterns—for example, Malaysia and Indonesia’s strong growth versus the Philippines’ fluctuation—would create clearer progression and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a basic range of trend vocabulary, including “increased,” “fluctuating,” “remained,” and “jumped,” which makes the main movements understandable. There are also attempts at more descriptive language, such as “sharply increased” and “dramatically change.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing a line graph: “stands at the highest point” and “reaching the year of 2020” do not express the intended comparisons clearly, while “dramatically change” overstates Thailand’s gradual rise. Spelling errors such as “asian,” “dramatical,” “contant,” and “predication” are noticeable. Build a more precise set of verbs and collocations for gradual rises, fluctuations, and forecasts, and check spelling before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including clauses linked with “while,” “but,” and “which,” so there is some variety. However, complex sentences are often poorly controlled, and errors recur in agreement, articles, verb patterns, and punctuation. For example, “Philippines and Thailand stands” should use a plural verb, while “reached at 75%” and “reach to almost 85%” use incorrect verb patterns. The sentence beginning “Overall” also has faulty punctuation and an incomplete contrast: “while, Indonesia at the lowest.” Capitalisation after commas is inconsistent, as in “However.” Aim first for accurate sentence patterns such as “reached 75%” and “is forecast to reach,” then combine ideas with clearer clause structure.

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