Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-12

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 graph illustrates the information about the population of New York city and its four districts in 1800,1900 and 2000.

Overall, the total population of New York city was increased significantly over 200years. However, the share of Manhatten and the other four districts eventually rose their graph.

In 1800 overall population in New York was low but with the passage of time it was increased and rose to about 8 million.Now we discussed about the Manhatten and other four districts progress

.

In 1800 Manhatten was main district with population 60515 with the biggest share of 76% while, the other four was down 18701with 24% only.

In the 1900 Manhatten population was with a total of 54% but the other four districts was rise upto 46% as we compared to the recent year.

In 2000 Manhatten was dropped with only a total of 1.5 million or 19% while the other four districts was rose rapidly with a total of 6 million, which was 81% of the city.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall change: New York’s population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. The figures for 1800 and the percentages in 1900 and 2000 are generally grounded in the tables, and the comparison between Manhattan and the other districts is relevant. However, some key details are incomplete or unclear: the 1900 Manhattan population is omitted, and the total population is described only as reaching “about 8 million” rather than showing the major growth across all three dates. The overview’s claim that both groups’ shares “eventually rose” is also inaccurate for Manhattan. Report the contrasting trends more precisely and include the most useful figures at each stage to make the summary more complete and clear.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an opening, an overview and paragraphs moving through the three years. This gives the reader a basic chronological route through the data. However, progression is weakened by abrupt transitions such as “Now we discussed about” and by the isolated full stop before the 1800 paragraph. Some linking is mechanical or unclear: “as we compared to the recent year” does not clearly explain the comparison, and the overview’s reference to the districts’ share conflicts with the later account. Group the overview’s two contrasting trends clearly, then use one focused paragraph for the early figures and another for later changes. Clearer links between years and consistent references to the population shares would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “population,” “share,” “district,” and “rapidly,” so the topic is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or awkward, which sometimes makes the intended trend difficult to follow. For example, “the other four districts was down” does not express their population clearly, while “their graph” is not an appropriate description of the data in tables. “Progress” is also vague for demographic change, and “Manhatten” is misspelled repeatedly. Aim for precise terms such as “accounted for,” “increased,” “declined,” and “combined population,” and check spelling of place names. More accurate collocations would make the comparisons easier to interpret.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including a contrast introduced by “while,” and the main message can usually be understood. However, control is inconsistent, particularly with verb forms and subject–verb agreement. Examples include “the total population … was increased,” “the other four districts was rise,” and “Manhatten … was dropped”; these should use active or appropriately formed passive constructions, such as “increased,” “rose,” and “fell.” There are also missing or misplaced articles and punctuation, as in “In the 1900” and the run-together “8 million.Now.” The sentence about 1900 is incomplete because the Manhattan population is left blank. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build complete comparison sentences before adding more complex structures.

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