Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-07
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 illustrate the information about changes in the New York City population between the years 1800 to 2000. It also shows some changes in population of five different districts of the city namely Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island over the 1800 to 2000.
Overall, the population in 2000 was highest population in New York City. In Manhattan population in 1800 was the highest. It were contained the lowest percentage in 2000. The other four districts contained the highest percentage in 2000.
Looking forward to the tables, in the year 1800 there were 79,216 people in the New York City and 3,[redacted phone] in 1900. The population in 2000 of city was 8,009,185.
The 76% population in Manhattan during the 1800 and 54% in 1900. The lowest percentage in 2000 was 19%. The other four districts population in 1800 was 24% and in 1900 was 46%. The highest percentage in 2000 was 81% population.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main trends, such as the overall population growth and the shift in population distribution between Manhattan and the other districts. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. The data presentation is occasionally confusing, particularly when discussing percentages, and some figures are transcribed inaccurately (e.g., '3,437202'). To reach a higher band, you should provide a more precise comparison of the data points rather than simply listing numbers. The overview is present but lacks the analytical depth required to clearly highlight the most significant trends across the two-century period.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical. Phrases like 'Looking forward to the tables' are not appropriate for an academic report. The progression of ideas is occasionally disjointed, particularly in the second paragraph where the transition between the total population and the district percentages is abrupt. Improving the use of linking words such as 'consequently', 'in contrast', or 'furthermore' would help the flow of information significantly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. You rely on repetitive phrasing, such as 'contained the highest percentage' and 'population in'. There are also some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'Looking forward to the tables' instead of 'Turning to the data'. To improve, try to incorporate more varied reporting verbs and nouns related to statistical trends, such as 'experienced a significant increase', 'accounted for', or 'the majority of'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains several grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'It were contained' (subject-verb agreement), 'the 76% population' (article usage), and 'the 1800 to 2000' (preposition usage). While you attempt to use some complex structures, they are often inaccurate. The sentence construction is frequently simplistic, relying on basic subject-verb-object patterns. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence structure, ensuring correct subject-verb agreement, and using articles appropriately before percentages and dates.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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