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)

The tables give the information about the total population of new york city and fluctuation of population among its five district : Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island between the time period of [redacted phone].

Overall , it is clear that Newyork city population has drammmatically increased whereas Manhattan population decreased over the time period. While all other four districts population increased .

In 1800, New york population was 79,216. This figure drammatically rose to 3,43

7,302 in 1900 to 8,009,185 in 2000. Manhattan population decreased over the time period. In 1800,it was 76%.this figure drop to 54% in 1900 and nearly halved to 19% in 2000.

On the other hand, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island population showed a tripled increased from 24% in 1800 to 46% in 1900 to tripled increased of 81% in 2000 as compareed to Manhatton.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main overall contrast: New York City’s population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share declined and the other districts’ share increased. You also include several relevant figures, including the city totals and the district percentages. However, the response is incomplete and underdeveloped: it gives percentages for Manhattan and the other districts but omits their actual population figures, and it does not clearly report that Manhattan’s population itself rose to 1,850,093 in 1900 before falling to 1,538,096 in 2000. The claim that the other districts’ population “tripled” is inaccurate as a description of the change from 46% to 81%. The response is also 10 words below the required minimum. Add accurate population comparisons and a fuller overview of the key changes.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic, useful structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs presenting the city total and district comparisons. Linking phrases such as “Overall” and “On the other hand” help signal the main contrast. However, progression is limited because the final paragraph combines several districts into one broad statement without clearly distinguishing population totals from percentages. Some connections are also awkward or unclear, particularly “from 24% in 1800 to 46% in 1900 to tripled increased of 81% in 2000.” Improve cohesion by grouping the city-wide figures separately from the district data, and use clear references such as “their combined share” to show what each percentage describes.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “population,” “decreased,” “rose,” and “over the time period,” so the topic is generally clear. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or repetitive. “Fluctuation of population” does not fit a steady long-term change as well as “changes in population,” while “tripled increased” and “as compareed to” are not natural expressions. There are also noticeable spelling and form errors, including “drammmatically,” “Newyork,” and “Manhatton.” Aim for precise, conventional data-reporting language and check spelling carefully; this will make comparisons easier to understand.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a few different sentence forms, including a contrast with “whereas” and a sentence beginning “While,” but the range is limited and errors occur frequently. For example, “Manhattan population decreased” needs a possessive or article (“Manhattan’s population”), and “all other four districts population increased” has problems with word order and possession. The sentence “In 1800,it was 76%.this figure drop to 54%” contains faulty punctuation and an incorrect verb form; use “In 1800, it accounted for 76%; this figure dropped to 54%.” Several fragments and missing spaces after punctuation also interrupt the flow. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and complete, well-punctuated sentences.

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