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 two tables elaborate the shifts in the the total people's in the new York city from two centuries.
Overall, the manhattan city was on the top but latter came on downward while the other four district initially on the low level but gradually reach to the top.
On the start the manhattan contribute 76%in the 1800 and slowly decline of the population by 54% in the 1900, and we're massively reach to the 19% in 2000.
On the other hand , the other four district of the US such as Brooklyn, bron9x, Queens,and states island which were consist very low rang of community 24%in the 1800 but during the one century the populations grew dramatically to the 46% in the 1900 and reach to the top level by crossing the manhatten in the 81% at the end of the 2000 .
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 fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have identified the main trends—the decline of Manhattan and the growth of the other four districts—the analysis is underdeveloped. You have not included any data regarding the 'Total Population' table, which was a key part of the prompt. Furthermore, the data reporting is inaccurate; for instance, you state Manhattan reached 19% in 2000, but the table shows 19% in 1900, not 2000. To improve, ensure you cover all provided tables and provide accurate data points to support your summary.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical flow is hindered by awkward phrasing and a lack of cohesive devices. Transitions between sentences are often missing or mechanical, such as 'On the start' and 'On the other hand'. The referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between the districts. To improve, use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'in contrast', 'furthermore') and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that guides the reader through the data.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You frequently use basic terms like 'top', 'low level', and 'reach'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'total people's' instead of 'total population' and 'manhattan city' instead of 'Manhattan'. Additionally, there are spelling errors like 'bron9x' and 'states island'. To reach a higher band, you need to use more precise academic vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'plummeted', 'surpassed', or 'proportion', and ensure you are using correct terminology for the locations mentioned in the prompt.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('manhattan contribute', 'populations grew'), incorrect preposition usage, and awkward sentence structures ('we're massively reach to the 19%'). The range of structures is limited, relying mostly on simple sentences with errors. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, including correct verb tenses and pluralisation. Avoid using informal contractions or conversational phrasing, and proofread your work to correct basic errors in punctuation and capitalization, such as the inconsistent use of capital letters for proper nouns.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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