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)

There are two data tables that show us the comparision that how population increase with the varies of the time. The first table show the sum of all five districts of New York city while the second table show the Manhattan and other remaining districts

First table illustrate us that the population of New York city is increased with the passage of time such as in 1800 the population is 79,216 which is then further increase in one century and by following to the next century the population numbers is increased to 8,009,185.

Second table illustrate us the comparision between the one large disctrict Manhattan with the other districts that in 1800 the 76% population of New York city is in from Manhattan district while the rest i24% from the other disctricts while with the passage of time after two centuries in 2000 only the 19% of population is in from Manhattan while the 81% is from other districts

The both tables gives us the conclusion of how population of New York city increases in the three centuries from 1800 to 2000 and also that in 1800 the Manhattan had large number of population of New York while which then decreases beacuse the rest other districts popuation increase in 2000 and cover 81% of population of New York

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main trends, such as the overall population growth and the shift in the proportion of Manhattan's population relative to the other districts. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you correctly identify the 1800 and 2000 figures, you miss the opportunity to highlight key intermediate trends or specific comparisons between the districts. The overview is integrated into the final paragraph rather than being presented as a clear summary of the main features. To improve, ensure you clearly highlight the most significant changes and provide a distinct overview paragraph at the beginning.

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 often mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'with the passage of time' and 'illustrate us'. The referencing is sometimes unclear, for instance, in the phrase 'the rest i24%'. The logical progression between sentences is occasionally hindered by awkward phrasing, which makes the flow feel somewhat disjointed. Using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring clear transitions between ideas would significantly improve the coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'increase' and 'population'. There are several word-choice errors, such as 'comparision that how' and 'varies of the time', which are not standard English collocations. You also use 'illustrate us' incorrectly; 'illustrate' does not take an object in this context. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of precision and the presence of errors in basic terminology prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Expanding your range of synonyms for 'increase' and 'change' would be beneficial.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues (e.g., 'table show', 'population is increased') and awkward sentence structures. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the punctuation is inconsistent. For example, 'the 76% population of New York city is in from Manhattan' is grammatically incorrect and confusing. While the errors do not completely impede communication, they are persistent throughout the text. Focusing on basic sentence construction, correct verb tenses, and avoiding run-on sentences will help improve your accuracy.

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