Task 1 · line graph · 18 samples

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

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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.

Sample answers

AI-completed learning example

190 words · Illustrative target band

The graph shows percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040. The number of population to Philippines increased gradually between 1970 to 1980 and reached a peak of fifty in 1990. Then fell steadily until 2010 and after this go up. Following this, Malaysia showed the strongest and most continuous growth. It began at about 30% in 1970 and r…

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AI-completed learning example

222 words · Illustrative target band

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 a…

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AI-completed learning example

241 words · Illustrative target band

The line illustration shows percentage of the population living in cities in four Asian countries (Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia) during year 1970 and 2020, with predictions for year 2030 and 2040. Overall all countries increased significantly their population by 2020 and it is clear that the rising pattern will still continue in 2030 and 2040. These figures refer to the share living in cities rather …

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