Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-11

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 tabular chart depict the changing in overall population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The next two tables illustrate commute the population of the five districts of the towns over the same period.

From the first glimpse of the chart, in 1800 the New York City population had 79,216 of whom 60,515 with 76% lived in Manhattan. The remaining four district contained 18,701 people representing 24% of the total By the 1900 the population is rising upto 1,587,109 Moreover in 2000 it rose to 80% with the population of 6,471,089.

overall

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. Because the response is only 95 words, the information is severely underdeveloped. You have provided some data points from the first table, but you have completely neglected to report on the second and third tables regarding the five districts. To achieve a higher band, you must provide a comprehensive overview of all data provided in the prompt, ensuring that you select and compare the main features rather than just listing isolated figures. The current response is too brief to adequately address the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is very short, making it difficult to assess the use of paragraphing and cohesive devices. While there is a basic attempt to structure the response with an introduction and a body paragraph, the lack of development means there is no clear logical progression. Cohesive devices are largely absent, and the transition between the introduction and the body is abrupt. To improve, you should use linking words such as 'furthermore', 'in contrast', or 'consequently' to connect your ideas and ensure that your response flows logically from one point to the next.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and contains several errors in word choice and form. For example, you used 'tabular chart' instead of 'table', and 'commute' appears to be a misuse of the word in this context. Phrases like 'changing in overall population' are grammatically awkward; 'changes in the overall population' would be more accurate. You rely on basic vocabulary and struggle with precise terminology. To improve, focus on using more academic collocations and ensure that you are using words in their correct context, such as 'fluctuated', 'witnessed a significant increase', or 'accounted for'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the clarity of your writing. Examples include 'The first tabular chart depict' (subject-verb agreement error), 'the population is rising upto' (incorrect tense usage), and 'The remaining four district contained' (missing pluralization). The sentence structures are simple and repetitive. To improve, you need to work on basic subject-verb agreement, correct tense usage for historical data, and pluralization. Additionally, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses or passive voice, to demonstrate better control over your grammar.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.