Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-24
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 compare changes in the total population of New york city and the ppopulations of manhattan and the other four districts between 1800 and 2000.
Overall, the population of New York city increased substantially over the 200-year period. Although manhattan accounted for the largest proportion of residents in 1800, its share declined steadily, while the combined population of the other four districts beacame dominant by 2000.
In 1800, NewYork city had a population of 79,216 people. This number increased to
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which severely impacts the ability to fully address the task. While the introduction and overview provide a basic summary of the trends, the response stops abruptly after providing only one data point from the first table. Because the response is incomplete and fails to report on the majority of the data provided in the three tables, it cannot be considered to have addressed all parts of the task. To improve, you must ensure you complete the analysis of all relevant data points and meet the minimum word count to allow for a full development of the main features.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is too short to demonstrate a full range of cohesive devices or effective paragraphing. The initial structure is logical, with an introduction and an overview, and the use of 'Although' and 'while' shows an attempt to create contrast. However, because the text is incomplete, the overall progression is halted. To improve, ensure you structure your response with a clear introduction, an overview of the main trends, and at least two body paragraphs that group data logically, using a variety of linking words to connect your ideas smoothly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the task, such as 'substantially', 'proportion', and 'dominant'. However, there are some minor errors, such as the failure to capitalize proper nouns like 'New York' and 'Manhattan', and a spelling error ('beacame'). The range of vocabulary is limited due to the brevity of the text. To achieve a higher score, focus on using a wider range of precise vocabulary related to data trends (e.g., 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'surpassed') and ensure consistent attention to spelling and capitalization.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The sentences produced are grammatically sound and demonstrate a mix of simple and complex structures, such as the use of the 'Although... while...' construction. There are minor mechanical errors, such as the capitalization of 'New york city' and 'manhattan'. Given the very limited length, it is difficult to assess a full range of grammatical structures. To improve, aim to incorporate a wider variety of complex sentence forms, such as relative clauses or passive voice, while maintaining the accuracy shown in your current writing.
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