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 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.
In 1800s, the population of New York City is approximately 79,216 peoples. And 60,515 residents are belonging to Maanhattan district which countributes 76% of overall. Other district like Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island contributes 24%. During 1900, there were 3,437,202 residents in this period in New York city. According to report 54% of peoples are belonging to Manhattan which is around 1,850,093 local residents. Other 46% are from other districts which is approximatelty1,587,109.
In conclusion, the table illustrate the total population of New York city including the data of there all five districts such as Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. All the peoples are belonging to these major districts.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to adequately address the task. While it mentions the total population and the Manhattan district, it completely ignores the data for the other four districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island) for the years 1900 and 2000. The report is highly selective and lacks a clear overview of the trends over the 200-year period. Furthermore, the data provided for 1800 and 1900 is presented in a fragmented way without meaningful comparisons. To improve, you must report on all categories provided in the tables and identify the most significant trends or changes over the entire timeframe rather than just listing isolated figures.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into three short paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is weak. The use of cohesive devices is very limited and often mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'Other district' and 'According to report'. The concluding paragraph is redundant, as it simply restates the introduction rather than summarizing the main features of the data. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'in contrast', 'furthermore') to connect your sentences and ensure that each paragraph has a clear purpose, such as grouping data by time period or by district trends.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is basic and repetitive. There are several errors in word choice and form, such as 'peoples' (which should be 'people' or 'residents') and 'belonging to' (which is used incorrectly in this context). The phrase 'local residents' is redundant. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to describe trends or statistical changes effectively. To improve, focus on using precise terminology for data reporting, such as 'accounted for', 'experienced a growth of', or 'the majority of the population'. Avoid using informal or grammatically incorrect pluralizations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'In 1800s' (should be 'In the 1800s'), 'is approximately' (should be 'was' for past data), and 'the table illustrate' (subject-verb agreement error). The sentence structures are simple and lack variety; there is an over-reliance on basic 'subject-verb-object' patterns. To improve, practice using a mix of simple and complex sentences, and pay close attention to verb tenses when describing historical data. Ensure that subjects and verbs agree in number and that articles (a/an/the) are used correctly.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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