Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-23
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 illustrates the population of New York City and five districts of the City between 1800 and 2000. Names of five districts are: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.
New York City has recorded the highest population over the same period of the timeline. In the year 1800, it is highest recorded as 79,216 as compared to Manhattan 76% and other districts at 24% respectively. Greater upward trajectory shown in New York City of 3,437,202 than Manhattan which were 54% and there was a slight decline in other districts in 1900.
In 2000, New York has the largest population of 8,009,185. Furthermore, Manhattan has only 19% and other districts have 81% population. It was higher than the population of Manhattan.
In conclusion, the population of New York City was higher than the other five districts. This table shows us how rapidly population has grown so we have to introduce some policies to overcome that problem. If we don't control it then it will become a bigger challenge for us in the future.
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 fails to adequately report the main features of the data. While it mentions the total population and some percentages, the analysis is fragmented and lacks a clear overview of the trends across the five districts. The student focuses on isolated figures rather than comparing the growth patterns between the districts over the 200-year period. Furthermore, the inclusion of personal opinions and policy recommendations in the conclusion is inappropriate for an Academic Task 1 report, which requires an objective summary of the provided data. The response does not fully address the requirement to make relevant comparisons.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The transition between the description of the 1800 data and the 1900/2000 data is abrupt. Cohesive devices are used, but they are often mechanical or misused, such as the repetitive use of 'In the year' and 'In 2000'. The referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly when discussing 'other districts', which makes it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between the specific districts and the total population. Paragraphing is present but does not effectively group related information.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive. Phrases like 'highest recorded' and 'upward trajectory' are used, but the overall range is insufficient to describe the data with precision. There are issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'recorded the highest population over the same period of the timeline' and 'other districts at 24% respectively'. The student struggles to use precise terminology for describing trends, relying on basic descriptors that do not accurately convey the scale of the changes shown in the tables.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but accuracy is inconsistent. There are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'Manhattan which were 54%' (subject-verb agreement) and 'New York has the largest population of 8,009,185' (tense inconsistency). Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure often feels disjointed. While the errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to lower the score. The attempt at complex sentences is often faulty, limiting the range of structures demonstrated.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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