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 given chart provided information about the changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. Overall, it is clear that in the year of 1800 there was population is 70,216. In contrast, in the year 1900 there was population 3,437,202. and at last in the year of 2000 there was population 8,009,185.
Looking at the detail of changes population in the New York City in the year 1800 to 2000 there is many changes in the population in that time.
Turning to remaining categories in the city Manhattan there was total time period 1800 to 2000. In the year of 1800 there was total population 60,515 average percentage of population is 76%. In the 2000 year there was total population 1,850,093.
By the end of the period 2000 had the highest population (6,471,089) and the lowest population in the year of 1800 has (60,515).
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5
The response fails to address the task fully. While it mentions the total population figures, it fails to provide a meaningful summary of the trends across the five districts. The data is presented in a fragmented way, and the comparison between districts is largely absent. Furthermore, the response is slightly under the 150-word minimum, which negatively impacts the score. The overview is weak and does not highlight the main features or significant shifts in the data over the two-century period. To improve, you must synthesize the data rather than simply listing numbers, and ensure you meet the minimum word count requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay lacks a logical flow. Paragraphs are poorly structured, and the transition between the total population and the district-specific data is abrupt. Cohesive devices are used in a very mechanical and repetitive manner, such as the frequent use of 'In the year of'. There is no clear progression of ideas, and the referencing is often confusing, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison of the five districts. Improving the use of linking words and organizing the information into clear thematic paragraphs would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on basic phrases like 'there was population' and 'in the year of'. There is little attempt to use a range of vocabulary appropriate for describing statistical data, such as 'fluctuated', 'witnessed a surge', or 'accounted for'. The phrasing is often unnatural, and the lack of variety in word choice makes the report monotonous. To reach a higher band, focus on learning collocations related to data trends and avoid repeating the same sentence structures throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The grammar is characterized by frequent errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are consistent issues with article usage, subject-verb agreement, and sentence construction (e.g., 'there was population is 70,216'). The sentence structures are mostly simple, and there is a lack of complex grammatical forms. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of periods and capitalization. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence structures and proofreading for common errors such as missing articles and incorrect verb forms before attempting more complex structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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