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 indicates changes in the total population of New York City between 1800 and 2000 while the second and third data illustrate changes in the population of the five areas of the city including Manhattan.Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over the same period.
Overall, highest population is recorded in the 1900 year likewise Manhattan experienced greater population in the same year.Districts other than Manhattan were densely populated in 2000.
As it is clear from the data provided that highest number of 3,437,702 individuals were present in the 1900.Moreover, least figure recorded in the 1800 year exact 79,216.Categorically speaking, Manhattan had 76% of individuals in the 1800 which raised to 54% in the next year and then undergo decline in the number of population having 19% in the 2000.
In Manhattan highest population was recorded in 1900 of 54% while in other districts in 2000 year population rate had been raided by 81%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| 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, but the analysis is inconsistent and contains inaccuracies. For instance, the claim that the 'highest population is recorded in the 1900 year' is incorrect based on the provided tables, which show a continuous increase up to 2000. Additionally, the interpretation of the percentage data for Manhattan is confusing and lacks clarity. While the response attempts to report on all districts, the lack of precision in data selection and the misinterpretation of the trends prevent it from reaching a higher band. The overview is present but lacks a clear summary of the most significant trends.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression is hindered by awkward phrasing and poor sentence structure. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Moreover' and 'Categorically speaking', but they are sometimes used mechanically or inappropriately. The referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly when discussing the 'next year' or 'other districts'. Paragraphing is present, but the internal flow of ideas within paragraphs is disjointed, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison of the data effectively.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The range of vocabulary is limited and often repetitive. There are instances of inaccurate word choice, such as 'raided' instead of 'risen' or 'increased', and 'undergo decline' which is grammatically awkward. The student relies on basic terminology to describe the data, and there is little evidence of the ability to use less common lexical items or precise collocations to describe trends. While the meaning is generally conveyed, the lack of precision and the presence of errors in word formation limit the score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence attempts, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Punctuation is often incorrect, such as missing spaces after periods (e.g., 'Manhattan.Brooklyn') and missing articles. There are also errors in verb tense and subject-verb agreement, such as 'population rate had been raided'. These errors are noticeable and occasionally cause some difficulty for the reader, although they do not completely impede communication. A greater focus on basic sentence construction and proofreading is required.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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