Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The provided tables illustrate information regarding changes in the population of New York City and five districts of the city such as, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island between 1800 and 2000.
Overall, it is apparent that the population of New York city experienced the largest growth. Whereas, the population in other districts ( Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island ) witnessed a significant decline. Additionally, the Manhattan's population is also evident throughout the period.
Regarding New York ( all five districts ), there was a considerable surge in the population over the period of 20 decades, with numbers rising from 79216 in 1800 to [redacted phone] in 2000. Furthermore, the population in other districts such as, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island climbed substantially to 81% in 2000, whereas the population collapsed dramatically over the period of 200 years, declining from 76% in 1800 to 19% in 2000. Moreover, the population in other districts collapsed from [redacted phone] in 1900 to [redacted phone] in 200.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to accurately interpret the data provided. You state that the population of other districts 'witnessed a significant decline' and 'collapsed dramatically', which contradicts the provided tables showing substantial growth in these areas. Furthermore, the final sentence contains a data error ('6471089 in 200') and misinterprets the trends. While you attempt to select main features, the lack of accuracy in reporting the data significantly hinders the task achievement. To improve, ensure you carefully cross-reference your summary with the figures in the tables to avoid factual inaccuracies.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical progression is weak because the information presented is factually incorrect, making the argument difficult to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Moreover', and 'Whereas' are used, but they are often applied incorrectly due to the flawed interpretation of the data. For example, 'Whereas' is used to contrast two trends that do not exist as described. Improving the accuracy of your data analysis will naturally help in creating a more coherent and logical flow of information.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
You demonstrate a basic range of vocabulary suitable for describing trends, such as 'surge', 'climbed substantially', and 'collapsed'. However, the misuse of these terms—specifically describing growth as a 'collapse'—demonstrates a lack of precision. There are also minor errors in phrasing, such as '20 decades' (which is 200 years) and 'Manhattan's population is also evident', which is vague. To reach a higher band, focus on using vocabulary that accurately reflects the specific direction and intensity of the data trends.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as the unnecessary comma in 'such as, Manhattan' and the incorrect use of the definite article in 'the Manhattan's population'. Additionally, the sentence 'climbed substantially to 81% in 2000' is grammatically awkward. While the meaning is generally discernible, the frequency of errors in basic sentence construction and punctuation prevents a higher score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles to improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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