Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-18
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 first table demonstrates the total population of New York City changes with time between 1800 and 2000. The second and third tables illustrates the population respectively of the the five districts of the city in the same period. Such as, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.
Overall, In year of 2000, the New York City population accounted for the highest population in all five districts. While, in year of 1800, the Manhattan City made up the highest percentage. Similarly, other four districts in 2000, shared the largest proportion.
Initially, All five districts of New York City in 2000, the population recorded highest around 8,009,185. Likewise, in 1900, the population was half as compared to the 2000. In addition, The Manhattan City population in 1800 was 60,515 which makes up the total population proportion about 76% but in year of 2000, the the total percentage of population decreases meanwhile the population were suraged about 1,538,096. Other four districts in 2000, the population was around 6,471,089 which made up the largest total population proportion about 81%.
In contrast, New York City population in 1800 quite low around 79,216. Manhattan City in year of 1900 the population was around 1,850,095 and made up the 54% of total population. Similarly, in 2000 the population was recorded about 1,538,096 and shared the total percentage around 19%. In other districts in 1800 the population was 18,701 and the percentage around 24%. Moreover, in 1900 the population was 1,587,109 accounted for 46%
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 overall population growth and the shift in proportions between Manhattan and the other districts. However, the analysis is hampered by significant inaccuracies in data interpretation. For example, the statement that Manhattan made up 76% of the population in 1800 is correct, but the claim that the other four districts made up 81% in 2000 is confusingly presented. Furthermore, the report lacks a clear, cohesive summary of the trends, and some figures are misquoted or difficult to follow. To improve, ensure that comparisons are logically structured and that data points are accurately transcribed from the tables.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression of ideas is weak. The use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inappropriate, such as the awkward use of 'Such as' to start a sentence or 'In year of' repeated throughout. Referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between the years and the districts. The transition between the overview and the body paragraphs is abrupt, and the internal structure of the paragraphs lacks a clear focus, leading to a disjointed reading experience.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The range of vocabulary is limited and repetitive. There are frequent errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'suraged' (likely meant 'surged'), 'accounted for the highest population', and 'shared the total percentage'. The student relies heavily on basic phrasing and struggles to use academic vocabulary effectively to describe trends. While the meaning is generally discernible, the lack of precision and the presence of incorrect word forms prevent the response from reaching a higher band. More variety in reporting verbs and trend-related vocabulary is needed.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are consistent issues with articles ('the the total percentage'), subject-verb agreement ('tables illustrates'), and preposition usage ('In year of 2000'). Sentence structures are mostly simple, and attempts at more complex sentences often result in errors, such as 'The Manhattan City population in 1800 was 60,515 which makes up the total population proportion about 76%'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage. A greater focus on basic grammatical accuracy and sentence construction is required.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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