Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-25

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 indicates trend in change in the total population along the five district in New York City from 1800 t0 2000.

Firstly the table indicates the pattern in the total population rises rapidly from 79,216 to 80,09,185 from 1800 to 20000.

In the case of Manhattan population dramatically increase indicating 76 percent in 1800, 54 percent in 1900 and 19 percent in 2000 respectively

on the other hand the percentage of population of other district such as Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island represent highest rises at 2000 i.e 81% . Similarly followed by 46% and 24% respectively in 1900 and 1800.

Overall the information provide over the same period indicates the rising trend in all temporal changes

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the response. While you have identified some data points, the analysis is superficial and lacks a clear overview of the main trends. The summary of the data is incomplete, and the comparison between the districts is confusingly presented. To improve, you must ensure all parts of the prompt are addressed, including a clear summary of the total population growth and a more detailed comparison of the five districts over the 200-year period. The current length and lack of depth prevent a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay lacks a logical structure. While there is an attempt at paragraphing, the progression of ideas is disjointed. Cohesive devices are used in a mechanical and sometimes inaccurate way, such as the repetitive use of 'the table indicates'. The transition between the total population data and the district-specific data is abrupt, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and ensure each paragraph has a clear focus, such as one for the total population and another for the district comparisons.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is limited and repetitive. Phrases like 'indicates the pattern' and 'rises rapidly' are used without much variation. There are also inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'temporal changes' which does not fit the context of population growth. The use of 'respectively' is attempted but applied incorrectly to the data sets provided. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to use a broader range of vocabulary related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'accounted for', 'surpassed', or 'proportion', and ensure these are used in the correct context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including issues with subject-verb agreement ('the table indicates trend'), article usage ('the five district'), and tense consistency. The sentence structures are simple and often lack the necessary complexity for a higher band. For example, '80,09,185' is an incorrect numerical format. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like pluralization and verb forms. Incorporating more complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses or comparative constructions, would also help demonstrate a wider grammatical range.

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