Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-09
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)
This graph describes the population changes of New York between 200 year from 1800 to 2000. And percentage of population in different cities of New york.
Overall, the population of New York different areas in 1800 are 79,216 and the76% of this population are live in Manhattan in 1800. But with the time this population is decreases with the percentage of 54% in 1900. This graph shows that other areas like Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and staten island have only 24% population in 1800 but with time perod this population increases to 46% with [redacted phone] numbers of peoples in 1900 and 81% in 2000 and the numbers of people became reached to [redacted phone]
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 meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While you have attempted to identify some main features, the analysis is incomplete. You have focused primarily on Manhattan and the combined total of the other four boroughs, but you have not adequately compared the specific trends across all five districts or provided a comprehensive overview of the data provided in the tables. The information is presented in a fragmented manner, and the lack of sufficient detail means the task is only partially addressed. To improve, ensure you cover all data sets provided and provide a more thorough summary of the trends over the entire 200-year period.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response lacks a clear structure. There is no clear paragraphing, and the progression of ideas is disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is very limited, relying on basic connectors like 'And' and 'But' to start sentences, which does not create a smooth flow of information. The referencing is also unclear at times, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between the different time periods and districts. To improve, you should organize your response into clear paragraphs: an introduction, an overview of the main trends, and body paragraphs that group related data together using a wider range of linking words.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is quite basic and repetitive. You frequently use simple terms like 'numbers of peoples' and 'with the time', which lack the precision required for an academic report. There are also issues with word choice, such as 'different cities of New york' (these are districts/boroughs, not cities). The range of vocabulary is insufficient to demonstrate the flexibility needed for higher bands. To improve, focus on learning topic-specific vocabulary related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'experienced a decline', 'accounted for', and 'proportion'. Expanding your range will help you describe the data more accurately and professionally.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'between 200 year' (should be '200 years'), '76% of this population are live' (should be 'lived'), and 'numbers of people became reached to'. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the control over basic grammar, such as subject-verb agreement and tense consistency, is weak. The punctuation is also inconsistent, with some sentences lacking proper closure. To improve, practice using a mix of simple and complex sentences and pay closer attention to verb tenses when describing historical data. Proofreading for basic errors like pluralization and article usage is essential.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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