Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-08
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 presents the changes of the population in New York City between the years 1800 to 2000. Afterwards, the changes of the population of the five districts of the city such as Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten island across the same period.
Overall, the population had an considerable increase from the year 1800 till 2000
and in the year 1900 there is also a significant increase. In Manhattan, the population had a steep significant rise from 1800 up to 1900 but afterwards it went down in 2000.
The population was 79,216 in the year 1800 and it begin to increase till 3,437,202 in the year 1900 and finally had an considerable rise in the year 2000 which was 8,009,185.
In Manhattan, between the three years the population fluctuated from 60,515 to 1,538,096 with percentage of 76%,54%,19%. However in other districts such as Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten island. From the year 1800 till 2000 it had an substantial rise which is 18,701 , 1,587,109 , 6,471,089 with the percentage 24%,46%,81%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| 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 inconsistent and lacks clarity. While you identify the overall growth of NYC, the breakdown of the districts is confusing. You mention percentages (e.g., '76%, 54%, 19%') that do not clearly correspond to the provided data, and the grouping of districts in the final paragraph is mathematically unclear. To improve, ensure you clearly distinguish between the total population and the individual district figures, and avoid including data that cannot be verified or explained by the tables provided. Focus on comparing the districts rather than listing raw numbers without context.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The second paragraph introduces an 'overall' trend, but the subsequent paragraphs jump between data points without a clear structure. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'However' and 'Afterwards', but they are sometimes used incorrectly or mechanically. The final paragraph is particularly difficult to follow because the list of figures is not clearly linked to the specific districts mentioned. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring each paragraph has a clear, singular focus would significantly enhance the flow of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
You demonstrate a basic range of vocabulary, but there are frequent errors in word choice and collocation. For example, you use 'an considerable increase' (should be 'a considerable') and 'it begin to increase' (should be 'it began'). The use of 'fluctuated' is also inaccurate, as the data shows a specific trend rather than a back-and-forth movement. To reach a higher band, focus on using articles correctly and selecting more precise verbs to describe trends, such as 'soared', 'plummeted', or 'remained stable', rather than relying on simple phrases like 'went down'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but grammatical errors are frequent and occasionally impede clarity. There are consistent issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'it begin to increase') and article usage (e.g., 'in the year 1800'). Additionally, the sentence 'Afterwards, the changes of the population... across the same period' is a fragment and lacks a main verb. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction—ensuring every sentence has a clear subject and verb—and proofread for common errors like tense consistency and pluralisation.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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