Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
the tables illustrate the data of total change in population of new york city between 1800 and 2000, and also population of five districts over the same time period.
overview, over the time period, the population has steady growth. by the year 2000 new york city has highest population than city or districts.
The first table reprasents population data in 1800s it was close to 80000, and the begining of 1900 the population reached to near to 3.5 million. at last in the year 2000 it has reached to more than 8 million.
the districts like manhattan seen 76% of growth in population in the year of 1800. which recorded has highest in districts. and in 2000 population incresed to [redacted phone]. the other districts like brooklyn, bronx, queens and staten island has seen steady growth over the time period. in the year 1800 it was 18,701 which 24% of total population. and in the year of 1900 it is grown to [redacted phone] which contributed half of total population. by the next century 2000 the population incresed to 6,471,089 which contributed 81% of total population.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the data, including the overall population growth and the trends in the five districts. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you mention the total population figures, the comparison between the districts is slightly confusing, particularly the grouping of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island as a single entity, which misrepresents the data provided in the tables. To reach a higher band, ensure you accurately report the specific data points for each district rather than generalizing them, and provide a clearer, more analytical overview that highlights the most significant trends rather than just listing figures.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by mechanical transitions and a lack of sophisticated cohesive devices. The use of 'overview' at the start of the second paragraph is abrupt, and the connection between sentences is often repetitive. Referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly when discussing the districts. To improve, use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'in contrast', 'furthermore') to connect ideas more fluidly and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus that builds upon the previous one.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. There are several spelling errors (e.g., 'reprasents', 'begining', 'incresed') and some awkward phrasing, such as 'recorded has highest'. The range of vocabulary is limited, relying heavily on basic verbs like 'grown' and 'increased'. To improve, incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'accounted for', or 'proportion', and pay closer attention to spelling and word formation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede readability. Issues include incorrect article usage (e.g., 'in the year of 1800'), subject-verb agreement errors (e.g., 'districts... has seen'), and punctuation mistakes. The sentence structure is often repetitive, which limits the range. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring correct tense usage, and proofreading for common errors like missing articles and pluralization. Incorporating more varied complex sentences would also help demonstrate a wider grammatical range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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