Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-12
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 rendered table chart illustrates the information about changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000 and changes in the population of the five district of the city.
Overall, it is evident that population of new york city in 2000 was maximum, whereas minimum in 1800 year.
Turning to the details, the population of new York city in 2000 was highest at 8,009,185, followed by 1900 was 3,437,202. The difference of 35% is witnessed of total population in 1900 and 2000, while the former accounted for 54%. The population of New York City in 1800 was 60,515.
Moving further, the collective percentile of total population in Brooklyn, Bronx in 1800 and 1900 was 70%, in this case of latter was 46%. The proportion of total population in 2000 was 6,471,089 more than that of 1900 year. The population of New York city in 1800 and 2000 was 79,216 and 8,009,185, respectively.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to summarise the data but fails to provide a clear overview of the main trends. While it mentions the population growth, it struggles to accurately interpret the tables. The data selection is problematic; for instance, the comparison of percentages is confusing and lacks clarity. The response does not effectively highlight the significant growth patterns across the five districts, which is a key requirement of the task. The information provided is often disjointed, making it difficult for the reader to grasp the overall picture of population change in New York City. To improve, focus on identifying the most significant changes—such as the rapid growth in specific boroughs—rather than listing isolated figures.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression of ideas is weak. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes inappropriate, such as 'Moving further' and 'in this case of latter'. Referencing is often unclear, making it difficult to follow the relationship between the data points mentioned. The transition between the general overview and the specific details is abrupt. To achieve a higher band, you should use a wider range of linking words more naturally and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus, such as grouping data by time periods or by comparing the growth rates of the different districts.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and imprecise word choices, such as 'rendered table chart' and 'collective percentile'. The student relies heavily on basic descriptors like 'maximum' and 'minimum' rather than using more precise academic language to describe trends, such as 'peaked', 'surged', or 'remained stable'. Additionally, there are errors in terminology, such as using 'percentile' when referring to population counts. To improve, focus on learning topic-specific vocabulary related to data description and trends, and practice using these words in the correct context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with article usage ('the population of new york city'), subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure. Many sentences are simple or contain structural errors, such as 'followed by 1900 was 3,437,202'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with capitalization of proper nouns like 'New York'. While the meaning is generally discernible, the lack of control over complex structures limits the score. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring correct subject-verb agreement, and proofreading for capitalization and article usage.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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