User-written IELTS example

Writing Academic Task 1 Band 4.0 Example

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

222 words AcademicTask 1Line Graph

Task 1

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

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

User Essay Analysis

Review the public answer with report-style highlights.

Band 4.0

The line chart below provides information about the percentage of the population living in cities in Philippines, Malasia, Thailand and Indonesia between 1970-2020, with forecasts for 2030 and 2040. Overall, the number of people living in cities of all four nations increased over the period of time and it is predicted to grow in the future. Malaysia had the highest figure at the end. It started at about 30% in 1970 and went up to around 45% in 1990. After this, it increased quickly to 60% in 2000 and about 70% in 2010. It is expected to reach just over 80% by 2040. The Philippines also started near 30%, but it rose to almost 50% in 1990. Then the figure fell a little, reaching about 42% in 2010, before rising again to around 56% at the end. Indonesia was lowest at about 13% in 1970. Its percentage increased slowly to 30% in 2000, and then grew more quickly, finishing at about 64% in 2040. Thailand began at around 18%, and it reached 30% in 1990. The figure stayed near 30% until 2020, then it is predicted to rise to 50% in 2040. In general, Malaysia remained highest after 2000, while Thailand was the lowest for most of the years. All countries are expected to have a higher urban population percentage in future.

Targeted Improvement Tips

Make the overview compare the four patterns directly: Malaysia ends highest, Thailand remains relatively low, and all four figures rise overall.

Use percentage language consistently: write “the proportion” or “the percentage” rather than “the number of people.”

After drafting, check the country spellings, articles and time-range phrasing, then compare each stated value and trend with the graph.

AI Feedback

Overall Band

4.0

Modest

Words

222

Type

Line Graph

Criteria Breakdown

Task Achievement

5.0 Band

You identify the graph’s subject and give an overview: “all four nations increased.” The details also cover each country and include useful comparisons, such as Malaysia reaching “just over 80% by 2040” and Thailand reaching 50%. However, “the number of people” does not accurately describe a graph of percentages, and the overview could identify the key differences more directly. Refer to the percentage throughout and summarise which country is highest and which remains lowest.

Coherence & Cohesion

5.0 Band

The answer has a clear opening, overview and country-by-country details, and time markers such as “in 1970,” “in 2000” and “by 2040” help readers follow the sequence. However, the repeated country-by-country pattern and final summary partly repeat earlier information. Some links, such as “After this,” are vague. Group the countries by their main trends, and use specific transitions to show a rise, dip or comparison.

Lexical Resource

4.0 Band

The response uses relevant graph vocabulary, including “increased,” “fell,” “reach” and “finishing,” and includes approximate quantities such as “about 64%.” The range is limited, with similar words repeated in descriptions of changes, and “the number of people” is imprecise for a percentage chart. There is also a spelling error in “Malasia.” Learn a few precise alternatives for describing trends and check country names before submitting.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

4.0 Band

Most sentences communicate a trend clearly, and the answer uses both simple statements and clauses with “before” and “while.” Some phrasing is grammatically awkward, including “in Philippines” and “between 1970-2020”; the latter should use a clearer time-range structure. The opening also uses “it” after a plural subject, which makes the reference less clear. Practise accurate articles, time expressions and pronoun agreement, then proofread each sentence.

Topic Band Distribution

Band 9.03 examples

Band 8.03 examples

Band 7.03 examples

Band 6.03 examples

Band 5.03 examples

Band 4.03 examples

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