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 table provides data on fluctuation in total population in New York city between 1800 and 2000. the other table depicts the proportion of population change in five areas Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queeens and Staten Island in city throught period.
Overall, It is evident that the population in New York city had gronw throught period. Manhattan had reported to maximum number of population at beginning and droped till end, while other four areas Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island had least numbers which had spiked till end.
In the year 1800, the total number of population were 79,216 in the New York city. The Manhattan was recorded the highest numbers with 60,515, which is 76% of total population, whereras other four areas had 18,701 which is 24% of total population. In 1900, the total number of population had rose to 3,437,202. The population In Manhattan grew to 54% and other four districts had aslo witness a rise in population about 1,587,109, which is 46% to total population.
,
On probing further, the total number in 2000 had grew to 8,009,185 in all five districts. where Manhattan population had drope to 1,538,096, which 19% of total population. However, other district Brookly, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island witnees a sharpe rice in numbers in 2000 accounted for 6,471,089, which is 81% of total population.
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 four districts. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you correctly identify the trends, the reporting of figures is occasionally imprecise or repetitive. For instance, you mention 'other four areas' repeatedly without clearly contrasting the specific growth patterns of each. To reach a higher band, ensure you provide a more analytical comparison rather than just listing numbers, and ensure all data points are accurately transcribed from the tables provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. There is a clear progression of ideas from 1800 to 2000. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'On probing further' to start a paragraph. Additionally, there are some referencing issues where the connection between sentences could be smoother. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the flow between the overview and the body paragraphs could be improved to better link the general trends to the specific data points.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task, but there are frequent spelling errors (e.g., 'gronw', 'throught', 'Queeens', 'aslo', 'witnees', 'sharpe rice'). These errors are noticeable and detract from the professional tone of the report. While you attempt to use some topic-specific vocabulary like 'fluctuation', 'proportion', and 'districts', the persistent spelling mistakes and occasional word-choice inaccuracies (e.g., 'had reported to maximum number') limit the score. Improving accuracy in spelling and collocation is essential for a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('the total number of population were', 'Manhattan population had drope') and incorrect verb tenses ('had grew', 'had rose'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with capitalization and comma usage. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to be distracting and indicate a lack of control over complex structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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