Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-11

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)

this tables illustrate the differences in the population of new yoke from 1800 to 2000. also the second and third table iluminate the populatin five townsof the city.

overall, New york city grew steadily. while, Brookely, Bronklyn, Bronx,Queens and, staten Island increase greatly. although Manhattan added slowly.

New york city grew from 79,216 in 1800 to 3,437,202 in 1900 and by 2000 it dramtically increased to 8,009,185. while other districts shuch as, Brookyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island steadly increased. in 1800 it began with 24%, in 1900 it added to 46% and , in 200 it grew to 81%.

Although, mahattan added but its growth was not steady. in 1800 it started with 76%, in 1900 it droped to 54% and in 200 it dreaceased to 19%.

in conclution New york city and other districts such as:Brooklyn, Bronx< Queens and Staten Island, grew steadily but, manhattan start of well but droped Trastically.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main contrast: the city and the combined population of the other districts grew, while Manhattan’s share declined. Several figures are reported accurately, including the city totals and the districts’ percentages. However, the account is incomplete and sometimes unclear: it gives percentages for the district groups but not their population totals, and it describes Manhattan as having “added slowly” even though its population rose to 1,850,093 by 1900 before falling to 1,538,096 in 2000. The overview also says the city grew “steadily,” although the table only gives three snapshots. To strengthen the response, compare both population and share, and clearly report Manhattan’s rise and subsequent fall.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview, supporting paragraphs and a concluding sentence. This gives the reader some organisation, and the contrast between Manhattan and the other districts is a useful basis for progression. However, the sequence is weakened by repetitive statements: the conclusion largely repeats the overview, and “while” and “although” are used in ways that do not always connect the ideas clearly. Punctuation and spacing also interrupt the flow, as in “and , in 200” and “such as:Brooklyn.” Group the city totals and district comparisons more deliberately, use clear transitions, and avoid repeating the same summary at the end.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “population,” “districts,” “percentage,” “increased” and “decreased,” so the topic is generally identifiable. However, the range is limited and several spelling errors make the writing harder to follow, such as “new yoke,” “Brookely,” “shuch,” “droped” and “conclution.” Some word choices are also inaccurate: “added” is not a natural way to describe a population change, and “grew steadily” is not supported by the three data points. Use precise reporting verbs and check spelling carefully. For example, describe a population as “rose” or “fell,” and use “accounted for” when reporting a percentage of the total.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “while” and “although,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in sentence structure and punctuation appear in examples such as “overall, New york city grew steadily. while…” and “Although, mahattan added but its growth was not steady.” The latter combines two contrasting structures, while several sentences lack clear grammatical connections between clauses. There are also problems with articles, capitalization and consistent sentence boundaries. Aim first for accurate, complete sentences: for example, “Manhattan’s population rose between 1800 and 1900, then fell by 2000.” Once these patterns are secure, add a wider range of complex structures.

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