Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-24
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 tables display the population in 3 different years 1800, 1900 and 2000 in all five districts of New York combined and also individually.
Overall, The population in New York City increased gradually by the years passing. Whereas, in Manhattan population in 1900 was the highest.
According to the 1st table, in the year of 1800 the population was at its least of about 79,216. But, further in 1900 it increased more than 4 times to 3,437,202. To the end in 200 it was almost double the previous year.
On the other hand, 76% of the total population in New York City was with people of Manhattan district with 60,515 people. One year later the population increased thrice and covered around 54% of the population. The proportion then decreased in 2000 to 19%. In the other 4 districts the population tremendously incresed after the year 1800 from 18,701 composing of 24% to 6,471,089 with 81% of overall population in 2000 covering the majority of the City.
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 trends and provides data points for the years 1800, 1900, and 2000. However, the analysis is somewhat uneven. The summary of the total population is clear, but the comparison of the five districts is confusing. The student groups the other four districts together without clearly identifying them or explaining their individual contributions, which makes the report feel incomplete. Furthermore, there is a factual error regarding the year '200' instead of '2000', and the interpretation of the percentages in the final paragraph is slightly muddled. To reach a higher band, ensure all data is accurately transcribed and that the comparison between districts is more structured.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally inaccurate. For example, 'To the end in 200' is an awkward transition, and 'Whereas' is used incorrectly at the start of a sentence to introduce a contrast that is not fully developed. The referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly when discussing the 'other 4 districts' as a single block. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, logical focus would significantly enhance the flow of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision required for a higher band. Phrases like 'increased gradually by the years passing' and 'at its least' are non-standard and slightly unnatural. There are also some spelling errors, such as 'incresed'. While the student successfully uses some numerical data and percentages, the range of vocabulary is limited, and the expression of trends is repetitive. To improve, the student should focus on using more precise collocations for describing data, such as 'witnessed a significant rise' or 'accounted for a substantial proportion'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but accuracy is inconsistent. There are several grammatical slips, such as 'in the year of 1800 the population was at its least of about' and 'composed of 24% to 6,471,089 with 81%'. The misuse of prepositions and awkward phrasing occasionally hinders the clarity of the information. While the errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of comparative structures would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.