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 given tabular chart reveals the data about in the total population of New York City as a whole and its five districts ( Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) from 1800 to 2000.
The figure indicates that New York city all five districts population in 1800 year there was 79216 while its grow in 1900 year and become 3,437,202. Whereas in 2000 its reach at 80 lakh9 thousand one hundred eighty five.
It is further evident from rest of the data, Manhattan was highest population in 1800 year i.e. 76% of the total population and in 1900 its declined and reached at 54%. In 2000 its reached at 19% of total population. furthermore, other districts ( Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) were 24% of total population in 1800 year whereas its gradually increases and become 46% in 1900 and in 2000 its reached around 81% of total population
Overall, New York city's population increase dramatically over the 2000 year period, rising from just 79216 in 1800 to over 8,009,185 in 2000. Although, Manhattan had the largest share of the population in the first two years, the other districts experienced much greater growth and accounted for the vast majority of the population by 2000.
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 total population growth and the shift in distribution between Manhattan and the other districts. However, the presentation of data is inconsistent. For instance, you use '80 lakh9 thousand' which is non-standard for IELTS; numbers should be written clearly in digits or standard words. While you identify the main trends, the analysis of the specific district data is somewhat limited, and the inclusion of '80 lakh' suggests a lack of familiarity with international numerical conventions. To reach a higher band, ensure all data points are presented accurately and consistently.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, body paragraphs, and an overview. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'furthermore', and 'overall' are used to link ideas. However, the flow is occasionally interrupted by awkward phrasing, such as 'The figure indicates that New York city all five districts population'. The transition between the total population data and the district-specific percentages could be smoother. While the paragraphing is appropriate, the mechanical nature of some transitions prevents a higher score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision. You rely on basic verbs like 'grow', 'reached', and 'increase'. The use of '80 lakh' is inappropriate for an international exam, as 'lakh' is a regional term. There are also minor errors in word choice, such as 'the rest of the data' and 'its declined'. To improve, incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to trends, such as 'surged', 'plummeted', or 'accounted for a significant proportion'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'New York city all five districts population in 1800 year there was 79216', which lacks a clear subject-verb structure, and 'its grow in 1900 year and become', which shows incorrect tense usage. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the placement of commas and the use of '80 lakh9 thousand'. Greater attention to subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage is required.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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