Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-17
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 table chart gives information about the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. 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.
As we can see from the table the highest population is in the year 2000 and the population is 8,009,185. If we compare Manhattan district's population in percentage from year 1800 to 2000 it goes 76% to 19% and we talk about other districts the population goes from 24% to 81% in other districts population goes really high in the year of 2000 population goes 6,471,089 its really high number of the population.
In conclusion, in compare of all the districts and Manhattan the other districts are really hight in the population in Manhattan its goes 19% and in other districts it goes 81%. So other districts has more population as compare to Manhattan.
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 features of the data, such as the total population growth and the shift in percentage distribution between Manhattan and the other districts. However, the analysis is quite superficial. It fails to provide a detailed breakdown of the trends over the 200-year period, instead focusing only on the start and end points. The data is presented in a somewhat repetitive manner, and the comparison between the districts lacks depth. To reach a higher band, you should group the data more logically and provide a more comprehensive overview of the trends rather than just listing isolated figures.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organised into three short paragraphs, but the flow of ideas is disjointed. There is a lack of cohesive devices to link sentences and ideas effectively. For example, the transition between the general population data and the district-specific data is abrupt. The use of referencing is also weak, making it difficult for the reader to follow the progression of the argument. To improve, use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'furthermore', 'in contrast', 'consequently') and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'high', 'goes', and 'population'. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'if we talk about other districts' and 'in compare of all the districts'. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to demonstrate precision or flexibility. To improve, try to incorporate more varied synonyms and precise terminology related to data description, such as 'experienced a significant increase', 'accounted for', or 'a downward trend'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors, particularly with sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions. For instance, 'in compare of all the districts' is grammatically incorrect, and 'its really high number' lacks proper punctuation and structure. The range of sentence structures is limited, consisting mostly of simple sentences. There is a lack of complex structures, which are necessary for higher band scores. Focus on improving your control over basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like missing articles and incorrect verb forms.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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