Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-10
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The first table below shows changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables show changes in the population of the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over the same period.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The given table charts illustrate the number of people living in New York City from 1800 to 2000.
Overall, New York City all five districts total population gradually increased over the two centuries. Manhattan population are the highest among the other districts in 1800. However, over two centuries Manhattan population as percentage of total population is decreased. In other districts, population is increased over century and also increased in percentage of total population.
The first table chart illustrates the total population of New York City's all five districts such as Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island. Total population of New York City increased in year 1800 to 2000, total 79,219 people are living in a city in 1800 and 8,009,185 people are in year 2000. Manhattan accounted the highest number of people 60,515 in year 1800, and as percentages 76% of total population. In year 2000, very few people are living in Manhattan, percentage of total population is decreased.
In the third chart, other districts of New York City population is 18,701 in year 1800, and 24% percentage of total population. In 1900, the population is increased, which is 1,587,109, and also rose in percentage. In 2000, four districts population is dramatically increased in population by 81% of total population.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
You identify the main overall pattern: the city’s population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. You also include relevant figures for 1800 and 2000, and mention the 1900 population of the other districts. However, some key comparisons are incomplete or unclear. In particular, you do not report the total population in 1900, and you omit Manhattan’s 1900 and 2000 population figures, even though its population actually fell from 1,850,093 to 1,538,096 after 1900. “Very few people” in Manhattan in 2000 is vague and does not convey the figure. The overview is relevant, but more precise reporting of the middle-year data and the contrasting population trends would make the summary more complete.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and separate paragraphs for the tables. The broad progression from the city total to Manhattan and then the other districts is understandable. However, the organisation is not consistently clear: the second body paragraph begins “The first table chart” and then shifts to Manhattan, while the final paragraph refers to “the third chart,” which may confuse the reader about which table is being described. Linking is also repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “In 1800,” “In 1900” and “In 2000,” and some connections are awkward, such as “However, over two centuries.” Grouping the figures by year or explicitly contrasting Manhattan with the other districts would create a clearer progression and more effective cohesion.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “total population,” “percentage,” “accounted” and “dramatically increased,” so the topic is generally clear. However, the range is limited and several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, such as “the number of people living,” “Manhattan population are the highest,” and “increased in population by 81%.” The last phrase confuses a population share with a rate of increase: 81% is the other districts’ share of the city total in 2000. Repetition of “population,” “increased” and “percentage” also limits flexibility. Aim for more precise reporting language, such as “accounted for,” “rose to” and “made up,” and distinguish clearly between a population figure and its proportion of the total.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, control of sentence structure and basic forms is inconsistent. For example, “Manhattan population are the highest” has subject–verb disagreement, while “Manhattan population as percentage of total population is decreased” uses an incorrect verb form and lacks necessary articles. The sentence “In other districts, population is increased over century” also has problems with tense, article use and number. Several sentences rely on similar simple patterns, and the longer sentences do not consistently show accurate control. Practise forming comparisons with accurate past-tense verbs and complete noun phrases, for example, “Manhattan’s share fell from 76% to 19%.” Careful proofreading for agreement and articles would improve clarity.
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