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 table resresents the information regarding the changes in New york population and the changes in five districts in five year 1800 to 2000.
Overall, it can be clearly seen that in Newyork increased significantly duriy two centuries Most of this growth happened 1800 and 1900. after that it remained suitable. Amang other five districts Brooklyon and Manhattan had highest population in early period.
Firstly, in 1800 the total population of the city was quite low Brooklyn was fast growiy. by 1900 Howciun the Bronx and queens had very little population in 1800.
On the other hand, between 1900 and 2000 the populat in Manhattan and Brooklyn slightly decreased while Queens and staten island continued to grow. Stalen island had the smallest number of people it it steady rise oue the year. In New york city slow hey population growth betwe 1800 an 1900, especially in Brooklyn an Monhan the population became more spread out amoung all five of 5 year by the yean 2000.
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 attempts to summarize the data but fails to provide a clear, accurate overview. While it identifies some trends, there are significant inaccuracies in the interpretation of the data (e.g., stating that population remained 'suitable' after 1900, which is unclear, and misinterpreting the growth patterns of specific districts). The response lacks a clear focus on the main features and fails to make meaningful comparisons between the districts. The data reporting is inconsistent, and the lack of precision in describing the figures makes it difficult for the reader to follow the trends. To improve, focus on selecting the most significant data points and describing them with accuracy.
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 inaccurate, such as the abrupt transition 'by 1900 Howciun'. Referencing is frequently unclear, and the connection between sentences is often disjointed, making the overall flow difficult to follow. Paragraphing is present but does not effectively group related ideas, as the information about the districts is scattered and repetitive. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus would significantly enhance the coherence of the writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and often inaccurate. There are numerous spelling errors (e.g., 'resresents', 'Newyork', 'duriy', 'Amang', 'Brooklyon', 'growiy', 'populat', 'Stalen', 'amoung') which occasionally impede readability. The range of vocabulary is basic, and there is a lack of precision in describing statistical trends. Phrases like 'remained suitable' are inappropriate for describing population data. To reach a higher band, you should focus on using more precise terminology for describing trends (e.g., 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'remained stable') and ensure that you proofread your work to eliminate basic spelling mistakes.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a high frequency of grammatical errors, including issues with subject-verb agreement, sentence fragments, and incorrect word order. For example, 'in New york increased significantly' is missing a subject, and 'the populat in Manhattan and Brooklyn slightly decreased' is grammatically incomplete. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing capital letters and incorrect sentence boundaries. While there is an attempt at complex structures, these are often faulty and lead to confusion. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and ensuring that every sentence has a clear subject and verb before attempting more complex grammatical forms.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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