Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

the table portrays that from 1800 to 2000 there is some flucations in the total population of the New York city. in other tables there is specific details of the districts about the chenges in populations.

in general the community of the city in 2000 is escalated at peak. in contrast the population in 1800 is quite low of almost 79216. furthermore the population of the Manhattan is higher in 2000 but the percentage of total inhabitants is significantly low.

meanwhile the community of other four district was low in 1800 but boosted up to 81% of total population in 2000. consequentally the district manhattan has higher percentage of population then those of other four districts in 1800.

to sumarize the community of all five districts of the new york city was too low in 1800 after that in 1900 it arouse up to 34 lac then in 2000 it was reached at almost 80 lac

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the broad pattern that New York’s population grew substantially and that the other districts’ share rose while Manhattan’s fell. You also include relevant figures, such as 79,216 in 1800 and the 81% share for the other districts in 2000. However, some key details are unclear or inaccurate: Manhattan’s population did not increase by 2000; it fell from 1,850,093 in 1900 to 1,538,096. The statement that Manhattan’s population was “higher in 2000” conflicts with this trend, and the comparison of district shares would be clearer with the 1900 figures. The overview is present, but the main changes need more precise reporting and development.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has an identifiable overall shape: it introduces the tables, gives a general summary, and then refers to changes across the years. Linking expressions such as “in contrast” and “meanwhile” show an attempt to connect comparisons. However, progression is not consistently clear: the final paragraph repeats the overall population trend rather than adding a distinct comparison, and some links do not accurately express the relationship between ideas. For example, “consequentally” introduces the Manhattan comparison without making its connection to the preceding point clear. Organise the response into a concise overview followed by paragraphs comparing the total population and the district figures, and use linking words only where their logical relationship is clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “total population,” “percentage,” “districts,” and “inhabitants,” so the reader can recognise the subject of the tables. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the meaning difficult to follow. “Fluctuations” suggests rises and falls, although the city’s total population increased at both intervals; “escalated at peak” is not a natural way to describe the 2000 figure; and “arouse up” is unsuitable for population growth. Spelling errors such as “chenges,” “consequentally,” and “sumarize” are also noticeable. Prefer precise, familiar reporting language such as “increased,” “accounted for,” and “declined.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple statements and longer sentences, including comparisons introduced by “in contrast” and “meanwhile.” However, control of sentence structure and basic grammar is uneven, and errors sometimes make relationships between ideas hard to interpret. For example, “the population of the Manhattan is higher in 2000” has an unnecessary article and an unclear comparison, while “the district manhattan has higher percentage” lacks an article before “higher percentage.” Tense and verb patterns are also inconsistent in “in 2000 it was reached at almost 80 lac.” Use straightforward, complete sentences with consistent past-tense reporting, and check articles, subject–verb agreement, and punctuation when joining clauses.

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