Grading Report: IELTS Writing Task 1

 

---

Candidate: Bai Plu

Date: June 29, 2025

Overall Band Score: 6.0

Criterion	Assessed Band	Comments
Task Achievement (TA)	5.5	The response is slightly under the 150-word minimum and, more critically, is incomplete. The failure to describe Thailand in the body paragraphs means a key feature of the graph is missing. While the parts that are present are good, an incomplete answer cannot fully satisfy the task requirements.
Coherence & Cohesion (CC)	6.0	The response is well-organized with a clear structure. There is a good attempt to use a range of cohesive devices ("Similarly," "On the other hand"), though with some minor errors in usage ("Likewise") and punctuation (unnecessary capitalisation).
Lexical Resource (LR)	7.0	This is the strongest aspect of the response. There is a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary used precisely (e.g., "illustrates," "proportion," "residing in urban areas," "forecasts," "surge," "gradual"). This is a clear Band 7 performance in this criterion.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA)	6.0	The candidate uses a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively. However, there are several noticeable, recurring grammatical errors (e.g., "this figure expected," "Indonesia is also has," "a continuously rise") that prevent a score of 7, which requires "frequent error-free sentences."

---

Critical Review of the Response

This is a strong attempt by Bai Plu, demonstrating excellent potential. The vocabulary is a clear highlight and meets the Band 7 standard. The overall structure is logical, and the selection of data for comparison is relevant and accurate.

However, the response is held back from a higher score by two critical flaws:

Incompletion: The final paragraph ends abruptly, leaving the description of Thailand entirely absent from the detailed analysis. In IELTS Task 1, you must report on all key parts of the graphic. Leaving one of the four countries out is a significant omission.

Grammatical Errors: While the grammar is generally good enough to be understood, persistent errors in verb formation ("is also has") and word form ("continuously rise") detract from the overall quality and are too frequent for a Band 7.

Essentially, this feels like a very good response from a candidate who ran out of time or did not have a chance to proofread their work. If the final paragraph were completed to the same quality and the grammatical errors were corrected, this response would comfortably score a Band 7.0.

---

Tips and Tricks to Achieve a Band 7+

To move from this solid Band 6 performance to a consistent Band 7, focus on precision, completeness, and grammatical control.

1. Secure Task Achievement: Finish the Job

An incomplete answer can't get a high score. Time management is crucial.

Trick: If you are running out of time, write a simpler but complete sentence rather than leaving it unfinished. A simple, complete sentence for Thailand would have been better than an incomplete one.

Example of a quick, effective sentence: "Meanwhile, Thailand's urban population started the lowest and is projected to see the most modest growth, ending at around 50%."

2. Elevate Your Overview

Your overview is good, but a Band 7 overview often synthesizes the main points more fluently.

Tip: Combine the two main ideas (the general trend and the most notable feature) into one sophisticated sentence.

Your Overview: "Overall, the lines in the graph show the upward trend. There is significant growth... which Malaysia has the most changes..."

Band 7+ Overview: "Overall, it is clear that all four countries will experience a significant trend of urbanization over the 70-year period, with Malaysia forecast to undergo the most dramatic transformation, becoming the nation with the highest proportion of city-dwellers."

3. Master Grammatical Control

To get a Band 7 in GRA, the majority of your sentences must be error-free. You are close, but you must eliminate the common errors.

Tip: Proofread specifically for your common mistakes. In your case, this is verb formation. Before you finish, scan your text and ask: "Does every subject have one, and only one, main verb?"

Indonesia is also has -> Correct to Indonesia also has or Indonesia is also experiencing.

this figure expected -> Correct to this figure is expected.

4. Use More Sophisticated Structures for Comparison

You use good linking words. The next step is to embed the comparison within the sentence itself using more advanced grammar.

Tip: Use participle clauses (verbs ending in -ing or -ed) to add detail without starting a new sentence.

Your Version: "In 1970, around 30% of Malaysia’s population lived in urban areas, and this figure expected to surge to over 80% in 2040."

Band 7+ Version: "Starting at approximately 30% in 1970, Malaysia's urban population is projected to surge to over 80% by 2040, overtaking the Philippines to become the most urbanised nation of the four."

By focusing on completing the task under time pressure and dedicating 1-2 minutes to proofread specifically for your recurring grammatical errors, you can turn this solid Band 6 performance into a well-deserved Band 7.