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User-written IELTS example

Writing Academic Task 1 Band 8.0 Example

Original task prompt, user essay, band score, and related examples in the same report workspace.

207 words AcademicTask 1Line Graph
Task 1

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

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

  1. Paraphrase the graph’s subject, countries, and time span in the introduction.
  2. Give an overview of the overall direction and the main contrast in projected levels.
  3. Describe starting values and Malaysia’s steady rise.
  4. Compare the Philippines’ dip and recovery with Indonesia’s stronger later growth.
  5. 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

The graph below gives information about the percentage of the population in 4 Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040
IELTS Writing Task 1 visual

User Essay Analysis

Review the public answer with report-style highlights.

Band 8.0

The provided graph illustrates the urban population percentages in the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia from 1970 to 2040, as well as the projected percentages for 2030 and 2040. Overall, Malaysia is projected to have the highest urban population percentage by 2040, followed by Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, in that order. The urban population in Malaysia rose steadily throughout the period, from about 30% in 1970 to approximately 60% in 2000. It then continued to increase, reaching around 70% in 2010 and a projected 83% in 2040. The Philippines began at just over 30%, and its figure climbed to a peak of about 48% in 1990. After falling to roughly 42% in 2010, it is expected to rise again, reaching approximately 56% by 2040. Indonesia had the lowest figure in 1970, at around 13%, but its urban population grew continuously. This increase accelerated after 2000, and the proportion is forecast to reach about 64% in 2040, making Indonesia the second most urbanised country at the end of the period. Thailand’s figure rose from approximately 18% to 30% by 1990, then remained relatively stable until 2020. It is predicted to increase more sharply thereafter, reaching about 50% by 2040, although it remains the lowest of the four.

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
Make the Philippines’ temporary lead in 1990 explicit by comparing its roughly 48% with Malaysia’s approximately 45% at that point.
2
Use consistent approximation language for visually estimated data, such as “about” or “approximately,” and avoid implying greater precision than the graph shows.
3
Before finishing, check that each country’s trend includes its main turning point or period of stability, not just its starting and ending figures.

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