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 demonstrates the alteration of population of New York City during the year between 1800 to 2000.The other two tables display the variations of population between five district of the city according to the same duration.
Overall, it is the proportional comparison of three centuries of New York City.The number of individuals almost became three times greater than every previous century according to provided data as in 1800 the population was 79,216, in 1900 it increased at greater rate with 3,437,202 and finally in 2000, it almost doubled with 8,009,185 people.
First of all, we look at the the district Manhattan that has 76% of the total population of the city in 1800.The proportion of population became 54% of the whole city population in 1900 century.In 2000, it contributed the 19% of overall proportion of the city.
On the other hand, the other districts comprised the 24% of whole amount in 1800, the 46% in 1900 and 81% in 2
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to summarise the data but fails to complete the task. The final sentence is cut off mid-thought, meaning the data for the other districts in 2000 is missing. While you identified the total population trends and Manhattan's decline, the lack of a complete overview and the incomplete final paragraph prevent a higher score. You need to ensure all data points are presented and the report is finished. The overview is present but lacks a clear synthesis of the main trends across all districts.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the progression is interrupted by the incomplete ending. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'First of all' and 'On the other hand', but they are somewhat mechanical. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as '1900 century', which is redundant. To improve, ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and that you use a wider variety of linking words to connect the data points more fluidly rather than just listing numbers.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. You rely on basic terms like 'alteration', 'variations', and 'number of individuals'. There are also some awkward collocations, such as '1900 century' and 'increased at greater rate'. To reach a higher band, try to use more specific academic vocabulary related to trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'witnessed a significant decline', or 'accounted for a substantial proportion'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation. Examples include 'the year between 1800 to 2000' (should be 'between 1800 and 2000'), 'five district' (should be plural 'districts'), and 'the 19% of overall proportion' (unnecessary article). These errors do not completely impede communication, but they are noticeable throughout the text. Focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles to improve accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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