Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The given charts illustrate the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000 and the second and third table show changes in the population of the five districts.
Overall, the population of New York City has increased in 20 decades. Similarly, Manhattan and other four districts has also escalated in the similar period.
To begin with, it is evident that overall New York city population has surged to 8,009,185 in the year 2000 from 79,216 in the year 1800, which makes a big difference in 20 decades.
Furthermore, in Manhattan it is clear that population in the year 1800 was 60,515 and after 10 decades it has rose up to 1,850,093 which accounts for 54% of increment. In the year 2000 19% of population has declined. In contrast, other districts such as Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island has significantly increased their population in the year 1800, 1900, 2000, with a percentage of 24%, 46% and 81% respectively.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the data, but the analysis is inconsistent and contains significant inaccuracies. While you identify the overall growth, the specific data points are misinterpreted. For example, you state that Manhattan's population 'declined' by 19% in 2000, which is not supported by the provided tables. Furthermore, the description of the other districts' growth is confusing; you mention percentages (24%, 46%, 81%) without clearly linking them to the specific time periods or districts they represent. To improve, ensure you accurately transcribe data and provide clear, logical comparisons between the districts rather than listing percentages that are difficult to verify against the source material.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the logical progression is hindered by unclear referencing. For instance, the phrase 'other four districts has also escalated' is grammatically incorrect and vague. While you use some cohesive devices like 'To begin with' and 'Furthermore', the connections between sentences are sometimes mechanical or confusing. The transition between the general overview and the specific district data lacks a smooth flow. Improving the use of referencing (e.g., 'the latter,' 'the former') and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using words like 'illustrate,' 'surged,' and 'escalated.' However, there are instances of imprecise word choice and collocation errors, such as 'makes a big difference in 20 decades' and '54% of increment.' These phrases sound unnatural in an academic context. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise terminology for describing trends, such as 'a significant increase' instead of 'big difference,' and ensure that nouns and verbs are used in their correct forms (e.g., 'an increase of 54%').
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Subject-verb agreement is a recurring issue, such as 'Manhattan and other four districts has also escalated' and 'other districts... has significantly increased.' Additionally, there are tense errors, such as 'it has rose up,' which should be 'it has risen.' While the meaning is generally understandable, these persistent errors in basic grammar prevent the essay from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and correct verb forms.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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