Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-13

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)

The first table illustrates the changes in the total population of New York City between 1800 and 2000. In contrast, the second table and third table respectively demonstrates the modifications of the individuals of the five districts of the city such as, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island over the same period.

It is clear that, in 2000, the number of population was large , and in 1800 , only 79,216 people live in those districts. By contrast, it is also evident that , Manhattan which is the largest districts in New York, and among of the districts where people live 24%, 46%, 81% respectively.

Looking at the first table in more details, most of the people lived in 2000 year. In 1900 year, almost three lakh people live in which was larger than in 1800 years. On the other hand, in Manhattan, 76 percent of people lived in 1800 years . Additionaly, in 1900 year, 54 % people lived there which was more than 2000 year, which is 19%.

By following the third table in more infirmation that, 81 percent people lived in 2000 year. Moreover, 24 percent and 46 percent people stayed in 1800 and 1900 years respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the topic and include some relevant figures, especially Manhattan’s shares of 76%, 54% and 19%, and the other districts’ shares of 24%, 46% and 81%. However, the main trends are only partly reported and some key information is inaccurate or unclear. The city’s population rose from 79,216 to 3,437,202 in 1900 and 8,009,185 in 2000, but “almost three lakh” misstates the 1900 figure. You also call Manhattan the largest district in 2000, although its population had fallen from 1,850,093 to 1,538,096 while the other districts grew substantially. Give a clear overview of these contrasting trends and use accurate comparisons to support it.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has separate paragraphs and attempts to guide the reader with phrases such as “Looking at the first table” and “On the other hand.” However, the progression is difficult to follow because the overview is unclear and information is repeated: the percentages for the other districts appear in both the second and final paragraphs. Some links do not show a clear relationship between ideas, and “By following the third table in more infirmation that” does not form a coherent transition. Organise the report around an overview, the citywide population figures, and the comparison between Manhattan and the other districts. Use linking expressions only where they accurately signal contrast or addition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-related vocabulary, including “total population,” “districts,” and “respectively,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations make the meaning imprecise, such as “modifications of the individuals,” “number of population,” and “people stayed.” “Most of the people lived in 2000 year” also does not clearly express that the total population was highest in 2000. There are spelling errors, including “Additionaly” and “infirmation.” Choose precise terms for population data, such as “population increased,” “accounted for,” and “residents,” and check spelling and natural word combinations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, for example, “In contrast, the second table and third table respectively demonstrates…” and the sentence comparing Manhattan’s shares across years. However, errors are frequent and sometimes make relationships difficult to understand. Subject–verb agreement is incorrect in “tables … demonstrates,” and tense and sentence construction are faulty in “people live in those districts” and “In 1900 year, almost three lakh people live in which was larger.” Articles, plurals, and punctuation are also inconsistent, as in “the largest districts” and the spaces before commas. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build shorter, complete sentences before adding subordinate clauses.

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