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 present the number of residents resided in New York City in 1800, 1900 and 2000, and comparing the total population of Manhattan with other districts.

Overall, the total population of the city has rose throughout the given time period, but Manhattan's population sharply fell while other district's population grew.

In 1800, people resided in New York were 79,216, and it rose to 3,437,202 in 1900, and in 2000 the number of residents were more than doubled (8,009,185).

In 1800, Manhattan's total population was 60,151 (76%), and other distrct's population was less than half 24% (18,701 people) of Manhattan. Residents' number increased dramatically in all cities in 1900, Manhattan had 1,850,093 residents 54%, and other districts rose to 46% (1,587,109). Later in 2000, Manhattan population fell dramatically to 19% (1,538,096), while other district's population rose to 81% (6,471,089).

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

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 figures for all three years, which makes the summary relevant. However, the response is under the required 150 words, and one key figure is inaccurate: Manhattan had 60,515 residents in 1800, not 60,151. The comparison that the other districts had “less than half” of Manhattan’s population is also unclear; they had 18,701 residents, around 31% of Manhattan’s total. The overview could be more precise by noting that Manhattan’s population peaked in 1900 before falling, even as the city total continued to rise. Add a little more accurate comparison and detail.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear basic structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs presenting the figures. The chronological order is easy to follow, and transitions such as “Overall,” “In 1800,” and “Later in 2000” help guide the reader. However, the final paragraph combines several comparisons in a long sequence, so the relationship between the figures is not always clear. For example, “Manhattan had 1,850,093 residents 54%, and other districts rose to 46%” would be clearer if the population and percentage were presented in parallel clauses. Some linking is also mechanical or imprecise. Grouping the 1800 and 1900 figures together, then contrasting them with 2000, would make the progression and comparison more controlled.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing population data, including “sharply fell,” “increased dramatically,” “rose,” and “population,” and the meaning is generally understandable. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “the number of residents resided” and “Residents’ number increased.” “All cities” is also unsuitable because the figures refer to districts, not separate cities. There are spelling errors in “distrct’s” and “other district’s,” and “total population of Manhattan” is less precise than simply “Manhattan’s population” in this context. Aim for accurate, natural phrases such as “the population of Manhattan” and “the populations of the other districts,” and check spelling and singular/plural forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex sentences, and the overall meaning is usually clear. However, some errors in verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction remain. For example, “the total population of the city has rose” should use the past participle “risen,” while “the number of residents were” has a singular subject and should take “was.” The opening sentence also joins “present” and “comparing” without a parallel grammatical structure. In “In 1800, people resided in New York were 79,216,” the clause structure is faulty; a clearer form is “In 1800, New York had a population of 79,216.” Use consistent past-tense reporting for the historical data and check that each sentence has a clear subject and verb.

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