Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-20
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)
this data will show changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000 in different five districts . I will summarise the data we have received regarding population .
In 1800, the New York population with all five districts are around 79,216. however, in 1900, the population was surge to 3,437,202 in addition , at the end of 2000 the population gets tripled around 8,[redacted phone].
In Manhattan , the total percentage of population was 76% in 1800 in comparison of 2000 it was 19%. Moreover, in other districts it has been around 81% in 2000.
in the conclusion, population percentage have been increasing day by day . in the year 1800, population was less but by passing year population is increasing rapidly . therefore , New York is becoming the populated city respectively in other five districts
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response presents an overview of the changes in the population of New York City from 1800 to 2000, capturing key trends. However, it lacks clarity in structuring comparisons between the districts, for example, it mentions 'total percentage of population' without sufficient detail or elaboration. Furthermore, specific data examples are presented, but some information such as exact district population figures in years is either missing or inaccurately represented. Overall, the task requirements are partially met.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The structure of the response is somewhat loose, which affects coherence. The transition between points is not smooth, and the conclusion does not effectively summarize the main features of the data presented. Phrases like "in comparison of 2000 it was 19%" should be more clearly articulated. Additionally, the repetitive phrases like "population has been increasing day by day" add little to the narrative and could be replaced with comparative analysis for better flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
There is a limited range of vocabulary used in the response, with terms like "surge" and "tripled" showing some lexical resource. Nonetheless, expressions such as "around" and "gets" are colloquial and should be replaced with more formal equivalents like "approximately" and "increased." The use of inadequate phrases such as "respectively in other five districts" detracts from overall clarity. Varied vocabulary and precise word choices would enhance the overall quality of the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The grammatical accuracy is inconsistent throughout the response. For instance, there are errors in subject-verb agreement and syntax, as seen in "the population was surge to" which should be "the population surged to." Furthermore, sentence formation is often simplistic or choppy, leading to clarity issues. The phrase "by passing year population is increasing rapidly" lacks grammatical coherence and should be refined for better clarity. Overall, the writing could benefit from more complex sentence structures.
Overall feedback
Overall, this response shows an understanding of the changes in the population of New York City, but it needs improvement in several areas. Firstly, focus on improving coherence by linking different parts of the text more effectively and providing a clearer structure. Additionally, expand your vocabulary to include more specific language that accurately describes trends and comparisons between the districts. Finally, work on grammatical accuracy by reviewing sentence structures and verb forms to enhance clarity in your writing. Practicing these areas will improve your performance in academic writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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