Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-19
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 tables show the changes in population of New York from 1800 to 2000. This tables compare the population of New York across five districts. At a glance, the population in 2000 has dramatically increased.
From the tables it's clear that, From 1800 to 1900 total population of New York rose from 79,216 to 3,437,202. In 1800 the Manhattan contributed a very large proportion (76%) as compared to the other states (24%). By 1900, the proportion changed to, 54% of Manhattan's population and 46% of other district's population.
In 2000, there is significant growth in the population which makes up 8,009,185 in total. By this time, the total population of New York was contributed by Manhattan (19%) and other districts (81%).
To sum up, the New York's total population has significant growth in 2000 and the percentage of total population of Manhattan considerably declined.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While you have identified the main trends, the analysis is quite superficial. You have grouped the five districts into a binary of 'Manhattan' versus 'other districts' without detailing the specific growth patterns of the individual boroughs (e.g., the rapid rise of Brooklyn or Queens). The overview is present but lacks sufficient detail to fully satisfy the requirements of an Academic Task 1. To improve, you should provide a more comprehensive breakdown of the data provided in the tables rather than over-simplifying the categories.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'From the tables it's clear that', 'In 1800', 'By 1900'). There is a lack of sophisticated linking words to connect the data points more fluidly. While the paragraphing is appropriate, the internal cohesion within paragraphs could be improved by using a wider variety of transition signals to show the relationship between the population figures and the changing proportions over time.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. You rely on basic descriptors like 'dramatically increased' and 'significant growth'. There are also some minor errors in word choice, such as referring to the districts as 'states'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more specific terminology related to data analysis, such as 'accounted for', 'witnessed a surge', or 'experienced a decline', and ensure that you use terms like 'boroughs' or 'districts' consistently and accurately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains several grammatical errors that hinder the flow. For instance, 'This tables' is a subject-verb agreement error, and 'the Manhattan' is an incorrect use of the definite article. There is also a lack of complex sentence structures; most sentences are simple or compound. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors and the limited range of grammatical structures prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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