Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The line graph demonstrate the percentage of population living in urban areas in Philippines, Malasysia, Thailand and Indonesia from 1970 to 2020, with predictions from 2030 and 2040.

Overall, The total population of Malasysia surge from 1970 to 1990 from 30% to 40%, after that id increases upward till the 2040. Whereas, Indonesia total population in 1970 is just more than 10%. But it rose in 1980 to almost 15% and remind static till 2000 to more than 25%. It dramatically rise till 2040 to 60%.

furthermore, Thailand and Philippines peoples are relatively less as compare to other two countries living in cities. In 1970 almost 20% individuals lives in cities in Thailand. whereas, more that 30% in Phillippines. thailand rise a bit from 1980 to 1990 and stays constant till 2020 to 30% and rose steadily till 2040 in future. While Philippines goes upward then downward till 2010 to 45% and become stable till 2040 to 50%

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the four countries and the period, and you include an overview of the broad contrast between Malaysia and Indonesia’s growth and the lower figures for Thailand and the Philippines. However, some key trends and figures are unclear or inaccurate. Malaysia rises from about 30% to 45.5% by 1990, not merely to 40%, and Indonesia does not remain static from 1980 to 2000: it climbs from about 17% to 30.5%. Its 2040 figure is around 64%, rather than 60%. The Philippines fluctuates before rising to about 55.5% by 2040, so it does not become stable at 50%. Develop the overview around the countries’ relative rankings and the main changes more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph discussing Thailand and the Philippines. Comparisons such as “Whereas” and “While” help connect contrasting trends. However, the overview paragraph combines several details without a clear hierarchy, and the final paragraph moves between countries in a way that makes the timeline harder to follow. Some linking is mechanical or awkward, particularly the repeated use of “whereas” and “while,” and the capitalisation after full stops is inconsistent. Organise the body by clearer comparisons—for example, Malaysia and Indonesia’s stronger growth, followed by the Philippines and Thailand—and use time markers to guide the reader through each trend.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant trend vocabulary, including “surge,” “dramatically,” “rose steadily,” and “stays constant,” showing an attempt to describe change rather than simply list figures. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or imprecise: “total population” refers to population size rather than the urban share, and “peoples are relatively less” does not clearly express the comparison. There are also spelling errors in country names, including “Malasysia” and “Phillippines,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for precise terms such as “urban population,” “proportion,” and “percentage,” and check spelling carefully. A more controlled range of trend verbs and comparison phrases would make the account clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple statements and longer sentences, including contrast structures with “Whereas” and “While.” Meaning is generally recoverable, but some errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction make parts difficult to read. For example, “The line graph demonstrate” needs subject–verb agreement, while “it rose in 1980 … and remind static” mixes tense and uses an incorrect verb form. “Thailand rise a bit” and “individuals lives” also show problems with agreement and tense. Capital letters after sentence boundaries are inconsistent. Practise writing accurate past-tense descriptions for historical data and use “is projected to” for forecasts, while checking each sentence for a clear subject and correctly formed verb.

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