Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-30

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 graph illustrate that population percentage in four asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, Rest are the predictions for 2030 and 2040 populations.

As an overview, the graph showing the population of people living in cities till 2020 and for the predictions of 2030 and 2040.

To begin with, the population living in cities of Philippines from 1970 was 30 percent then it was increased around 32 percent until 1980. From 1980 to 1990 there is sudden increase. Moreover, there was gradual decrease till 2010. After that it was gradual increase unitl 2020 to around 49 percent, 2030 and 2040 were predictions.

On the other hand, in Malaysia there is gradual increase in population from 1970 to 2040 with the increase of 50 percent from 30 percent to 80 percent. In Indonesia in 1970 there were 15 percent of population, form 1970 it was gradually increasing till 2040 to 60 percent. Furthermore, The Thailand population in 1970 was 19 percent form 1970 it has gradually increased to 30 percent in 1990. Then it remain constant between 1990 and 2000. Moreover, it gradually increases from 2000 to 2040 to 50 percent.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the subject and cover all four countries, with relevant broad trends such as Malaysia’s steady rise and Thailand’s near-stability around 1990–2000. However, the overview repeats the chart’s topic rather than summarising its main comparisons. Several figures or periods are inaccurate: the Philippines starts at about 32%, not 30%, and reaches about 45.5% in 2020, not 49%; its peak is around 48% in 1990 before falling. Malaysia rises by roughly 54 percentage points, rather than 50, and Indonesia reaches about 64% in 2040, not 60%. The response also gives little comparison between countries. Select the key overall patterns and report the main turning points and end values more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure, beginning with an introduction and overview before describing the countries, and phrases such as “On the other hand” and “Moreover” show an attempt to connect ideas. However, the overview does not provide a clear progression of the main features, and the body moves between countries without a consistent comparison or grouping. Some linking expressions are repetitive or do not express a clear contrast, while the repeated “from … to …” pattern makes the account feel list-like. References such as “it” can also be unclear when several countries or figures are discussed. Organise the body around meaningful comparisons—for example, the strongest growth and the highest final proportions—and use linking words only where their relationship is accurate.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing trends, including “gradual increase,” “sudden increase,” “decrease,” and “remain constant,” so the reader can generally understand the intended changes. However, the range is limited and several phrases are repeated, particularly “population living in cities” and “gradually increased.” Some word choices are imprecise for this chart: “population” alone can suggest the number of people rather than the percentage, and “the predictions” is less natural than describing projected figures. Spelling errors such as “unitl” and “form” also reduce accuracy. Build a more varied set of trend expressions and use precise terms such as “urban population share” or “proportion,” while checking spelling and collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and longer sentences, and the sequence of past trends is usually understandable. However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction. For example, “The graph illustrate” needs subject–verb agreement, while “the graph showing” is not a complete clause in the overview. “Then it was increased” uses an unnecessary passive form, and “Then it remain constant” has an incorrect verb form. Capitalisation and punctuation are also inconsistent, as in “Rest” and “Moreover, The Thailand.” Practise accurate past-tense descriptions and complete overview sentences, and use a small number of well-controlled complex structures rather than joining several ideas loosely.

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