Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-31

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 below demonstrates the data relating to the population in four asian countries living in cities between the 1970 t0 2020, with predictions for the year 2030 as well as 2040.

Overall, malaysian people are the highest in number living in cities, the percentage was only 30% in 1970 whereas the rate spiked up to nearly more than 70% in 2020 but the number increase more in 2040 nearly 90%. 20% Thai people lived in cities in 1974 but it grew slowly after that, in 2040, 40% people will be living in city.

30% Phillippinese lived in cities in 1970 but the number increased slowly in 2020 as 40%. Only 15% Indonesian people lived in cities in 1970 it rose upto 55% in 2020 and 60% people will live in city in 2040.

In conclusion, Indonesian and malaysian people are the larger in percentage living in cities while philippinos and thais are the least.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the four countries and include some relevant figures, such as Malaysia rising from 30% in 1970 to about 76% in 2020 and Indonesia increasing from 14% to around 52%. However, the account is only partial: the overview does not clearly summarise the main patterns, and some details are inaccurate. Thailand was about 18% in 1970, not in 1974, and reached roughly 50% by 2040 rather than 40%; the Philippines was about 45.5% in 2020, not 40%. The conclusion also groups Indonesia with Malaysia as the highest without clarifying that Malaysia leads. The response is 146 words, below the required 150, and should be expanded with accurate comparisons and a clearer overview.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure: an introduction, two paragraphs of country details, and a concluding statement. This gives the reader some organisation, and the country-by-country grouping is generally understandable. However, progression is limited because the main comparisons are not developed across the countries; for example, the sharp rise in Indonesia and Malaysia could be contrasted with the Philippines’ fluctuation and Thailand’s slower growth. Linking is also repetitive, with several sentences relying on “but” or “and,” while the final “In conclusion” repeats a broad claim rather than synthesising the trends. Use a concise overview after the introduction, then group related trends and connect comparisons more precisely.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “percentage,” “predictions,” “increased,” and “rose,” so the topic is generally clear. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “the number” for a percentage, “spiked up” for a gradual trend, and “the larger in percentage.” Repetition of “people lived in cities” also makes the description less precise. Spelling errors in “asian,” “Phillippinese,” and “malaysian” are noticeable, and “upto” should be written as two words. Aim for accurate trend language and collocations, such as “the proportion of the population,” “climbed steadily,” and “remained the highest.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the overall meaning can usually be followed. However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently in sentence construction and verb forms. For example, “the percentage was only 30% … whereas the rate spiked up” shifts awkwardly between past and present, while “the number increase more in 2040” has incorrect tense and agreement. The sentence beginning “20% Thai people lived…” lacks an article or possessive structure, and “40% people will be living in city” is missing necessary determiners and plural marking. Use consistent past tense for historical data and “is projected to” for forecasts, checking articles, agreement, and sentence boundaries.

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