Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The first table given below illustrates the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third table shows the increasing population of the five districts of the city.
Overall, we can see that in New York the population was around 80 thousand in 1800 and after 100years we can see a drastic change and in 2000 the population stands at 8 lakh. In the other 5 districts the population only decreased in 2000 in Manhattan.
In New York city, the population was lowest in 1800 but after that the population increased significantly. In 1800 the population was standing at around 80 thousand but in 1900 the population rose upto 3.5 lakh and in 2000 the population increased to 8 lakh which is really very high comparatively to other two period of time.
Similarly, in Manhattan the population almost increased thrice from 1800 to 1900 and than it declined by around 3 lakh. In the case of other districts the population was really very low standing at around 18 thousand in 1800 and a drastic change in 1900 around 1.5 lakh and in 2000 their is a significant change around 6 lakh.
To sum up, the population increased every year except Manhattan in 2000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main trends, but the analysis is hindered by inaccurate data reporting. For instance, stating the population was '8 lakh' (800,000) in 2000 is incorrect based on the provided data (which shows 8 million). Furthermore, the description of the districts is confusing; the text mentions 'other 5 districts' but then focuses only on Manhattan and a vague group. The summary lacks a clear overview of the relative sizes of the districts, and the data points selected are often imprecise or misread. To improve, ensure you accurately transcribe figures from the tables and group the data logically to highlight the most significant changes rather than listing individual figures.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the progression of ideas is often disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical (e.g., 'Similarly', 'In the case of'). The referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly when referring to 'other districts' without specifying which ones are being discussed. The final summary is very brief and does not effectively synthesise the information presented in the body paragraphs. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus would enhance the flow of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive. Phrases like 'the population was' and 'there is a significant change' are used frequently. The use of 'lakh' is inappropriate for an international IELTS context, where standard numerical notation (e.g., 800,000 or 8 million) should be used. There are also errors in word choice, such as 'comparatively to' instead of 'compared to'. To reach a higher band, you should aim to incorporate a wider range of vocabulary related to trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'remained stable', or 'experienced a steady decline', and avoid informal or region-specific numerical terms.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but accuracy is inconsistent. There are frequent errors in subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'The second and third table shows') and prepositional usage. Punctuation is also problematic, with missing commas in complex sentences and incorrect spacing around words. While the meaning is generally understandable, these recurring errors distract the reader. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring that subjects and verbs agree, and proofreading for minor slips in articles and prepositions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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