Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-13
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 table provides us the information of the population that changes between 1800 to 2000. While the second and third table illustrate the changing of population in five different districts over the same exact time
Overall, the New York city recorded the highest population in 2000 while in the time of 1800 the community has the lowest. At district level the population increase with the passage of time
Firstly, the community becomes triple over one year in New York after that the figure rise 3437,202 to 8009,185 in year 1800 to 2000. Strength become increase with the time
Secondly, in Manhattan district the population despite the lowest recorded over the time, It goes down 76% to 19% over the same time While other five district population recorded the highest percentage up to 80%. In 1800 year strength was quite low and it become double over a year like 24% to 46% after one year the figure tripled and population reach 81% in 2000 year
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 attempts to summarise the data but fails to accurately report the main features. The interpretation of the tables is confusing, particularly the claim that the population 'becomes triple over one year' and the misuse of percentages regarding the districts. The data provided in the text does not align with the source material, leading to a failure to clearly highlight key trends or make meaningful comparisons. While the response covers the general topic, the lack of accuracy in reporting the figures and the failure to clearly distinguish between the total population and the district-specific data significantly hinder the task achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inappropriate, such as the use of 'Firstly' and 'Secondly' to introduce points that do not follow a clear analytical structure. Referencing is frequently unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow which data points are being discussed. The transition between the general population trends and the district-specific data is abrupt, and the lack of clear signposting makes the overall argument difficult to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and often used incorrectly, which impedes communication. Phrases like 'strength become increase' and 'the community becomes triple' are non-standard and inaccurate. There is a lack of precision in describing statistical trends, with frequent misuse of terms related to population growth and percentages. The student relies on basic, repetitive language, and the attempts to use more complex vocabulary result in errors that make the meaning unclear. A wider range of precise, academic vocabulary is needed to describe data trends effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that often distort the intended meaning. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the population increase'), tense usage, and sentence structure. Many sentences are fragmented or lack the necessary complexity to convey the data accurately. Punctuation is also problematic, particularly with the inconsistent use of commas and capitalization. While some simple sentences are understandable, the frequent errors in basic grammar and the lack of control over complex structures significantly limit the clarity of the writing.
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