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 table illustrate changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000, while the second and third tables show the changes in the population of the five districts of the city.
Overall the population of New York city has been increased from 1800 to 2000, whereas the population of Manhattan has been decreased from 1800 to 2000 and the percentage of total population of other districts like Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island has also been increased.
The percentage of Manhattan has been greatly higher than that of other districts in 1800 to 1900. But the percentage of Manhattan is slightly lower than other districts in 2000.
In contrast the population of overall districts in 1800 is lowered which have been gradually increased in 1900 and than in 2000 the percentage of total population was 81% which has been increased in overall period.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While you have identified the main trends, the analysis is superficial. You mention that Manhattan's population decreased and others increased, but you fail to provide specific data points or meaningful comparisons between the districts. The summary of the total population is also vague. To improve, you must include specific figures from the tables to support your observations and ensure you meet the length requirement to fully develop your response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'has been increased'. The transition between the overview and the body paragraphs is abrupt. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'in contrast') to connect your ideas more fluidly. Ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus, and avoid repeating the same sentence structures at the start of every point.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on basic verbs like 'increased' and 'decreased' throughout the text. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or precise terminology related to data description. For example, instead of saying 'greatly higher', you could use 'significantly larger' or 'predominated'. To reach a higher band, focus on using a broader range of synonyms and more precise collocations to describe trends and proportions.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with verb tenses and passive voice construction. For instance, 'The table illustrate' should be 'The table illustrates', and 'has been increased' is often used incorrectly where the simple past or present perfect would be more appropriate. The sentence structures are relatively simple, and there is a lack of complex sentence variety. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and practice using a mix of complex structures, such as relative clauses or subordinating conjunctions, while ensuring accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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