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)
Firstly comparing population change in 18th century which was total 79,216 lowest compared to other periods but in Manhattan the percentage of total population was 76% which was 60,515 which is the highest percentage of total population among all periods. On the other hand the highest population was in 1900 around 1,850,093 in Manhattan but New York had highest population in 20th century 8,009,185.
Furthermore, other districts includes Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island have most rise in population in 2000 6,471,089 and has 81% highest percentage of population but in 1800 other districts have lowest population 24% which was 18,701. In 19th century it was 46% which was 1,587,109 nor the highest either the lowest.
Lastly, other districts have contributed more in terms of population of New York city as it has 81% of the total population and 19% by Manhattan which is other districts contributes more by 61% than Manhattan in 20th century. However in 18th century Manhattan alone has contributed around 76% of the total population whereas the share of other districts is only 24% which is 52 % less than Manhattan but in 1900 again Manhattan population was more by 8% than the other districts in the total population.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main trends, but the analysis is often confusing and inaccurate. For instance, you refer to the '18th century' when the data clearly shows the years 1800 to 2000. Additionally, the comparison of percentages is mathematically unclear, and the reporting of figures is sometimes disjointed. While you attempt to select main features, the lack of clarity in your comparisons makes it difficult for the reader to follow the trends. To improve, focus on clearly grouping data by time periods and ensuring that the figures cited directly support your observations about growth or decline.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused, such as 'nor the highest either the lowest' or 'which is other districts contributes more'. The referencing is frequently unclear, making it hard to distinguish between the specific districts and the 'other' category. Paragraphing is present, but the internal flow within paragraphs is disjointed, which hinders the overall readability of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on basic terms like 'highest', 'lowest', and 'population'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'other districts includes' (should be 'include') and 'contributed more in terms of population'. The phrasing is often awkward, which limits your ability to convey precise information about the data. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more varied vocabulary related to trends, such as 'experienced a surge', 'accounted for', or 'a significant proportion'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('other districts includes'), tense usage ('18th century' instead of '1800s'), and sentence structure. Many sentences are run-on or lack proper punctuation, making them difficult to parse. While there is an attempt to use complex structures, they are often faulty. Focusing on basic sentence accuracy and ensuring that subjects and verbs agree will significantly improve the clarity of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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