Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-21
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 table that is shown in the picture depicts the information about the population changes from three different centuries in New York. While the other two tables present in the picture shows the population changes of five different districts of New York city in the same time period.
Overall in New York city the population has drastically increase over the period of time. In Manhattan the population ratio has decreased in different years, while in other districts of New York city the population has increased in the same period of time.
In year 1800 the population of New York city was about 79,216 and in 1900 it increased to 3.4 million and in 2000 it reached to the highest in these years that is around 8 million.
In different districts of New York in 1800 Manhattan had the highest number of people living there that is around 76% and it decreases to 54% in 1900 and reached the lowest to 19% of total population
In other districts it increases in 1800 it was 24% of total population and it reached at 46% in 1900 and in 2000 it is 81% of total.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the data, including the overall population growth and the shift in distribution between Manhattan and the other districts. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you correctly identify the trends, the report lacks a more detailed comparison of the specific figures for the other four districts, which are provided in the second table. The summary of the population distribution is a bit repetitive, and the distinction between the tables could be clearer. To improve, ensure you group the data more effectively to highlight the most significant changes rather than listing figures chronologically.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'in the same period of time', 'in different years'). The transition between the general population overview and the district-specific data is abrupt. To reach a higher band, try to use a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect your ideas more fluidly, and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus that contributes to the overall summary.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. Phrases like 'drastically increase' and 'highest number of people' are functional but basic. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'population ratio' when referring to percentages of the total population. To improve, incorporate more precise terminology related to data description, such as 'proportion', 'accounted for', 'witnessed a significant surge', or 'experienced a downward trend'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'the population... shows' (subject-verb agreement), 'reached to the highest' (incorrect preposition), and 'it decreases' (tense inconsistency). Additionally, some sentences are slightly fragmented or lack proper punctuation. To improve, focus on maintaining consistent verb tenses when describing past data and ensure that your sentence structures are grammatically sound by proofreading for subject-verb agreement and correct preposition usage.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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