The graph below gives information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.
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Sample Response
The graph provides a visual representation of the percentage of the population living in cities across four Asian countries, namely the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, between the years 1970 and 2020, as well as projectionspossible predictions for the years 2030 and 2040.
Overall, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand showed a steady increase in their urban percentages, in sharp contrast to the Philippines, which experiencedshowed a steady increase in the percentage, which is in sharp contrast with the Philippines, which reported fluctuations over the entire 70-year timeframe.
Both Indonesia and Malaysia rose steadily between 1970 and 2020 , and are predicted to climb further, Indonesia to approximately 60% and Malaysia to nearly 85%, by the year 2040. Malaysia reached roughly 75% in 2020 before continuing to rise , after reporting a marked increase from 30% to nearly 75% of its urban demographic. This is followed by Indonesia with growth of roughly 40 percentage pointsnearly 40% of growth in its urban share , from roughly 13% to over 55%.
As for the Philippines, population of which experienced volatility over the 50-year period, started to rise in percentage, reaching nearly 50% by the year 1990, which was then followed by a gradual decrease in urban share, dropping to approximately 43% in 2010. From 2010 onwards, the percentage, , the percentage started to grow and is predicted to reach nearly 55% by the year 2040.
Finally , Thailand, which is projected to have the second lowest urban share by 2040predicted to be at the lowest point of the graph, started to increase its share moderately from almost 20% of its population in cities in 1970. In 2020, urban residency plateaued at around 33% between 2000 and 2020roughly 33% of the population lived in urban areas, and this figure is projected to reach 50% in 2040.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The report effectively covers all key trends, specific figures, and projected estimates from the line graph, supported by a clear overview paragraph. Information is logically organized by country, using varied vocabulary and generally complex grammar. To improve further, refine sentence structures to eliminate minor grammatical slips and redundant punctuation.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The main trends and key figures for all four countries are clearly described and accurately compared, including past data and future projections.
Ensure precise description of timeframes, such as distinguishing the full period up to 2040 from historical data up to 2020.
Coherence and Cohesion
The essay is logically structured into clear, country-based paragraphs with smooth transitional phrases.
Avoid minor repetitive phrasing or awkward sentence transitions to maintain seamless progression throughout.
Lexical Resource
A wide range of task-appropriate vocabulary is used flexibly and accurately to describe trends and percentages.
Continue using natural collocations while avoiding occasional minor wordiness.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A good variety of complex structures is demonstrated, though a few awkward relative clauses and punctuation errors remain.
Proofread relative clause structures and punctuation to ensure consistently error-free complex sentences.