Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-05
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 gross population from 1800 to 2000 of New York City. The second and third tables describes about variation in the population of five districts of the city at the same time.
Overall, the first table shows the maximum population in 2000 and second table shows a rise in the average population of the district and the third table shows a minimum population in 1800.
The first table shows a continous rise in the population of all the districts with 79,216 in 1800 and then dramatically rised to [redacted phone] and [redacted phone] in 1900 and 2000 respectively.
The second table shows a fluctuation in the average percentage of population in 1800 to be 76% in Manhattan district and fall to a percentage of 54% and 19% in 1900 and 2000 but the total population of the district rised to [redacted phone] and [redacted phone] respectively.
The third table illustrates the population of other four districts with a fluctuation in the percentage of population from 1800 to 2000. The table shows a population of 18701 with a average 24 percentage following a rise in population of [redacted phone] in 1900 and a 46% rise. The population then dramatically rised to 81% in 2000 with a population of [redacted phone].
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the data, but the analysis is often confusing and inaccurate. For instance, you state that the first table shows a 'continuous rise' in the population of all districts, but the table actually shows the total population of NYC, not individual districts. Furthermore, your interpretation of the percentage data in the second and third tables is unclear, and the figures cited do not always align logically with the provided data. To improve, ensure you clearly distinguish between total population and percentage shares, and focus on highlighting the most significant trends rather than listing raw numbers without clear context.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is repetitive and sometimes mechanical, such as starting multiple sentences with 'The first table shows' or 'The second table shows'. There is a lack of clear transition between the general overview and the specific data points. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and phrases (e.g., 'In contrast,' 'Furthermore,' 'Conversely') to guide the reader through the comparisons between the districts and the overall population trends.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive. You frequently use basic verbs like 'shows' and 'rised' (which is grammatically incorrect; the past tense of 'rise' is 'rose'). There is an attempt to use some data-related terminology, but the phrasing is often awkward, such as 'average percentage of population'. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise verbs for describing trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'surged', 'declined', or 'remained stable', and ensure you use the correct forms of these words.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text that occasionally impede clarity. The most notable issue is the incorrect use of verb tenses and forms, such as 'rised' instead of 'rose' and 'describes' instead of 'describe'. Subject-verb agreement is also inconsistent. While you attempt some complex sentence structures, they are often marred by these errors. To improve, focus on mastering basic verb tenses and ensuring that your subjects and verbs agree. Proofreading for common errors like 'rised' will significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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