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 tables provide data about total population of five districts of New York City over the three years.

Overall, populations of all five districts has significantly increased in three years. Percentage of population has decreased in Manhattan but in other districts percentage of population has decreased.

It can be observed from table that population of all districts is has been more than double in year 2000 .

In Manhattan, between years 1900 and 2000, percentage of population has been significantly decreased.

However, other districts show that population has been increased twice between years 1900 and 2000 and population has been increasing on same pace through out all the years.

As compared to other four districts, percentage of population in Manhattan has been significantly declining over three years.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you identify the general trend of population growth, the analysis is superficial and lacks specific data points from the tables. You mention 'three years' incorrectly, as the data spans two centuries (1800-2000). Furthermore, the description of the trends is repetitive and lacks the necessary detail to fully address the task. To improve, you must include specific figures (e.g., population numbers in millions) to support your observations and ensure you correctly interpret the timeframes provided in the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is organized into short, disjointed paragraphs. While there is a basic attempt at an overview, the progression of ideas is limited. Cohesive devices are used in a very mechanical and repetitive way, such as the frequent use of 'In Manhattan' and 'However'. The referencing is sometimes unclear, and the lack of logical flow between sentences makes the text difficult to follow. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'in contrast', 'furthermore') and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus that contributes to the overall summary.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'increased', 'decreased', and 'population'. There is little evidence of the range required for higher bands. Some word choices are inaccurate, such as 'at same pace', which does not accurately reflect the data provided. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to use more precise synonyms for change (e.g., 'soared', 'plummeted', 'fluctuated') and incorporate topic-specific vocabulary related to demographic data and statistical trends.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues (e.g., 'populations... has significantly increased') and incorrect verb tenses (e.g., 'is has been more than double'). The sentence structures are simple and often lack the complexity required for higher bands. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with spacing around periods. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and ensure that your verb tenses accurately reflect the timeline of the data (past vs. present perfect).

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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