Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-04

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 shows the percentage of population living in cities of four countries in 1970 and future prediction of population in 2040.

Overall, All four countries will have sharp increase in population, Malaysia with a huge shift in percentage of population living in cities and Philippines has the large fluctuation in percentage.

In 1970, Indonesia has a least population living in cities with just around 12% and it is predicted to reach around 60% by 2040. Similarly, Philippines has the highest number of population during 1940 with around 32% and it is predicted to be around 50% in the year 2040.

Thailand has around 18% of popualtion living in cities in 1970 and it is predicted to reach around 45% by 2040. Likewise, Malaysia has 30% of population living in cities and it is predicted to have a sharp increase in percentage to 80% by 2040.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad subject and include an overview, noting Malaysia’s strong rise and the Philippines’ fluctuation. However, the task is only partially covered: the account focuses almost entirely on 1970 and 2040, omitting the important changes between those years, such as Indonesia’s rapid growth after 1990 and Malaysia becoming the most urbanised country. Some figures and comparisons are inaccurate: the Philippines is not the highest in 1970 (Malaysia is slightly lower, while the Philippines is highest among the four), and its 2040 figure is about 56%, not 50%. The reference to “1940” is also inconsistent with the chart. The response is four words below the required minimum. Include key intermediate trends and check figures to make the summary more complete and reliable.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs comparing countries. This makes the main points reasonably easy to follow. However, the progression is limited because the body groups countries without describing how their figures change across the full period; most sentences repeat the same 1970-to-2040 pattern. Linking expressions such as “Similarly” and “Likewise” are used, but they do not always signal a meaningful comparison between the trends. For example, Indonesia’s and the Philippines’ trajectories differ substantially, yet they are presented as parallel cases. Organise the body around the main trends—such as the steepest growth, the fluctuation, and the more gradual rise—and use comparisons that clarify those relationships.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing a graph, including “percentage,” “predicted,” “sharp increase,” and “fluctuation,” so the topic is generally clear. However, the range is limited and several phrases are repetitive or imprecise, particularly repeated references to “population living in cities” and “percentage.” Some collocations are awkward, such as “huge shift in percentage” and “highest number of population”; these make the description less natural. There is also a spelling error in “popualtion.” Aim for more precise trend language and vary your phrasing—for example, describe a figure as “the proportion of urban residents” and a rise as “climbed steadily” or “increased markedly.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You produce several complete sentences and use some subordinate structures, including “it is predicted to reach…” and “with just around 12%.” Meaning is usually understandable, but grammatical control is uneven. Examples include “Indonesia has a least population,” where the article and superlative construction are faulty, and “Philippines has the highest number,” where the country name needs an article and the sentence structure is awkward. The opening sentence also combines the time period and forecast unclearly. Capitalisation is inconsistent in “Overall, All four countries,” and the past reference “during 1940” does not fit the stated period. Practise accurate articles, comparative forms, and consistent tense choices, then proofread sentence boundaries and capitalisation.

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