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)
There are three tables that are given: the first one show the changes in the total population of NEW YORK city from 1800 to 2000.The second and third table shows the changes in the population of the five districts of the city. in 1st table no of peoples and population are mentioned. In 1800 the population is 79,216 and increases frequently. In 2000 the population is approximately 8,009,185.
In 2nd table there is a population of Manhattan which is 60,515 in the % of 76 and number of population in 1900 and 2000 increase but % decreases.
In table 3 there is a population and % of remaining 4v countries are mentioned. In 1800 the population is low but with the passage of time the population increases up to 6,471,089.
This shows that with the passage of time there is increase in population rate in new York cities and the major increase occur in 2000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to summarise the data but fails to provide a clear overview or highlight significant trends effectively. The description of the data is fragmented and lacks analytical depth. For instance, the mention of 'no of peoples' is imprecise, and the analysis of the districts is superficial, failing to compare the growth rates or the shift in population distribution between the boroughs. The conclusion is overly simplistic and does not synthesize the information provided in the tables. To improve, you should group data logically and focus on identifying key trends, such as the overall growth trajectory and the contrasting population shifts between Manhattan and the other districts.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into short paragraphs, but the logical progression of ideas is weak. The use of cohesive devices is limited and often mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'In [number] table'. Referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly when referring to the 'remaining 4v countries' (which are actually districts). The transition between sentences is abrupt, making the text feel like a list of observations rather than a cohesive report. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus, such as one for the total population and another for the district comparisons.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is basic and repetitive. There are several inaccuracies in word choice, such as referring to the city districts as 'countries' and using 'no of peoples' instead of 'population figures'. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to demonstrate precision; for example, 'increases frequently' is an awkward collocation for describing population growth over time. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to data description, such as 'dramatically', 'proportion', 'fluctuation', or 'demographic shift', and ensure that terminology is used accurately in the context of the task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('the first one show', 'table shows', 'major increase occur') and incorrect article usage. Sentence structures are predominantly simple, with little evidence of complex sentence forms. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after periods and incorrect capitalization of 'NEW YORK'. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of errors is high enough to cause some distraction for the reader. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for subject-verb agreement would significantly improve the quality of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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