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)
The tables giving information about population in New York City and five districts from 1800 to 2000.
Overall, total population of New York City increasing every year. In start Manhattan have more population share but later other districts increase more.
In 1800, New York City total population was 79,216. After that in 1900 it go up to 3,437,202. In 2000, it becoming very high at 8,009,185.
For Manhattan, in 1800 population is 60,515 and percentage was 76%. In 1900 it rise to 1,850,093 but percentage fall down to 54%. Then in 2000 population go down to 1,538,096 and percentage is only 19%.
Other side, other districts population in 1800 was 18,701 and percentage 24%. In 1900 it grow to 1,587,109 with 46%. Finally in 2000 it big increase to 6,471,089 and percentage is maximum 81%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While the main features of the population growth and the shift in distribution from Manhattan to the other districts are identified, the analysis is underdeveloped. The report lacks a clear overview of the trends and fails to make sufficient comparisons between the districts. The data is presented in a list-like fashion rather than a cohesive summary, and the failure to reach the word count means the task is only partially addressed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is mechanical and lacks logical flow. Cohesive devices are largely absent or used incorrectly, such as 'Other side' to introduce a new point. The referencing is sometimes unclear, and the transition between the general city population and the specific district data is abrupt. The lack of variety in linking words makes the text feel repetitive and disjointed, which hinders the overall coherence of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'increase', 'go up', and 'big'. There is little attempt to use academic or precise language to describe statistical trends. Phrases such as 'percentage fall down' and 'percentage is maximum' are unnatural and demonstrate a lack of control over collocations. The range is insufficient to convey the information with the necessary precision required for an Academic Task 1 response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors, particularly with verb tenses and subject-verb agreement. Examples include 'Manhattan have more population', 'it go up', and 'it becoming very high'. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, with most sentences being simple or poorly constructed. Punctuation is basic, and the consistent errors in tense usage (mixing present and past) make the text difficult to follow at times, though the meaning is generally understandable.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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