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

205 words · Illustrative target band

The following report presents information on the urban population percentages in the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia from 1970 to 2040, as depicted in the provided graph. Overall, the trend shows a consistent increase in urban population percentages for all four Asian countries from 1970 to 2040, with Malaysia projected to have the highest percentage. However, the increases are not uniform throughout t…

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AI-completed learning example

197 words · Illustrative target band

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 b…

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AI-completed learning example

205 words · Illustrative target band

The provided graph illustrates the changes in urban population percentages in the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia from 1970 to 2040, with projections for 2030 and 2040. Overall, it is noticeable that there has been a consistent upward trend in urban population percentages in all four countries over the 50-year period. By 2040, Malaysia is projected to have the highest proportion of people living in cit…

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