User-written IELTS example
Writing Academic Task 1 Band 9.0 Example
Original task prompt, user essay, band score, and related examples in the same report workspace.
Illustrative target band for this original model answer.
Plan your answer
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Ideas to explore
- Compare the overall upward direction with differences in pace: Malaysia rises steadily, while Indonesia’s growth accelerates after 2000.
- Highlight meaningful exceptions to a simple upward trend, especially the Philippines’ fall after 1990 and Thailand’s extended plateau.
- Use the final-year figures to compare the projected ranking: Malaysia is highest, Indonesia next, the Philippines below it, and Thailand lowest.
Suggested structure
- Paraphrase the graph’s subject, countries, and time span in the introduction.
- Give an overview of the overall direction and the main contrast in projected levels.
- Describe starting values and Malaysia’s steady rise.
- Compare the Philippines’ dip and recovery with Indonesia’s stronger later growth.
- Finish the detailed comparison with Thailand’s plateau and forecast increase.
Useful vocabulary & examples
- urban population share
- the percentage of a population living in cities
Malaysia’s urban population share is projected to exceed 80% by 2040.
- reach a peak
- attain the highest point in a period
The Philippines reached a peak of about 48% in 1990.
- remain broadly stable
- stay at a similar level, with little overall change
Thailand’s figure remained broadly stable near 30% for several years.
- be projected to
- be expected or forecast to happen
Indonesia’s urban share is projected to reach about 64% in 2040.
Task Prompt

User Essay Analysis
Review the public answer with report-style highlights.
The line graph illustrates changes in the urban population percentages of four Asian nations, namely the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, spanning from 1970 to 2040. Overall, all four countries experienced a rise in population percentages from 1970 to 2020, with projections indicating a further increase by 2040. Malaysia is anticipated to have the highest proportion of its population living in cities by 2040, at approximately 83%. In 1970, the Philippines and Malaysia were both at about 30%, while Thailand and Indonesia stood at roughly 18% and 13%, respectively. Malaysia's figure rose steadily, reaching around 60% in 2000 and 70% in 2010, before climbing to just over 80% by 2040. The Philippines increased to just under 50% in 1990, then fell to the low 40s by 2010; it is projected to recover to approximately 56% in 2040. Indonesia grew from the lowest starting point to around 30% in 2000, then overtook the Philippines by 2010. It is expected to reach about 64% by 2040, remaining second to Malaysia. Thailand rose to roughly 30% in 1990 and changed little until 2020. After that, its urban population share is forecast to increase more noticeably, reaching approximately 50% in 2040.
Targeted Improvement Tips
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