Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

In these tables, population of 6 different cities are shown from 1800 to 2000. Like before 1800 there was so many wars that why population was not so high but after the 18th century population start increase gradually, specially after the 19th century.

These tables show the population change over time from 1800 to 2000. if we see New York in 1800 they only have 79,216 population at the end of this century there population is 3,437,202 that is huge, approximately more then 4 times the population as compare to 1800 century and if we compare 1900 to 2000 that is approximately 3.7 times, basically decrease the ratio but increases the number in population.

and if we compare it with all the rest cities then it will be like by comparing it with mangattan there population is 60,515 in 1800 and in 1900 they are 1,850,093 that is lesser in ratio compare to New York. now look at the rest of the cities Brooklyn,Bronx,Queens, Staten island just 18,701 in 1800 and in 1900 they were 1587,109 more then 8 times that is amazing but there ration decreases in 2000 century.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad rise in New York City’s population and include several relevant figures, such as 79,216 in 1800 and 3,437,202 in 1900. However, the response only partially reports the tables: it does not give the 2000 total, and the key shift between Manhattan and the other districts is not clearly summarised. The claim that the other districts’ ratio “decreases” by 2000 is misleading: their share rises to 81%, while Manhattan’s falls to 19%. The opening explanation about wars is not supported by the data. To strengthen the report, give a concise overview of the main trends, accurately compare all three years, and avoid explanations that the tables cannot establish.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is some organisation: the response begins with a general statement and then moves from the city total to Manhattan and the other districts. However, the progression is difficult to follow because the first paragraph introduces an unsupported historical explanation, and the second repeats the task’s general time frame before presenting details. Long, loosely connected sentences, especially the sentence beginning “and if we compare it with all the rest cities,” make comparisons hard to track. Linking phrases such as “if we see” and “now look” are repetitive and conversational rather than precise. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and key comparisons, and connect each point explicitly—for example, contrast Manhattan’s declining share with the other districts’ growing share.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary, including “population,” “ratio,” “approximately,” and “compare,” so the main subject is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or awkward, such as “6 different cities” for the city and its districts, “there ration decreases,” and “that is amazing.” Repeated use of “population” and “compare” also makes the report less precise. Aim for neutral, data-focused language and use terms such as “districts,” “share,” “accounted for,” and “rose/fell.” Check spelling and word forms, particularly “Manhattan,” “their,” and “ratio,” as these errors reduce clarity and control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts longer sentences and comparisons, but the structures are often faulty, and errors sometimes make relationships between figures unclear. For example, “population start increase gradually” has incorrect verb agreement and form, while “if we see New York in 1800 they only have” shifts awkwardly between subject and pronoun. Several sentences run together without appropriate punctuation, including the opening “Like before 1800…” and the final comparison. Articles, plurals, and sentence boundaries also need attention. Practise building accurate simple comparison sentences first, then combine them with clauses using “while” or “whereas.” For instance: “Manhattan’s population rose by 1900, but its share of the city total fell.”

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