Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The tables given below shows the population change from 1800 to 2000 in NYC. First table represents the population change in complete city while the other two tables show the population change in the cities of New York City.
Overall, NYC population has been increasing drastically since 1800 which has reached up to 8 million approximate by 2000. In districts of New York City the population has been increasing a lot since 1800 which clearly show in the table.
Coming to the population increase in districts, Manhattan has increased its population by 76% of its previous population which is 60,515 later in 1900s it has increased up to 54% of its original population which is 1,850,093. In 2000, overall population of Manhattan has increased by 1,538,096 which is 19% of previous population.
Now, the population change in other districts is 24% in 1800 which is 18,701, then it has increased up to 46% which is 1,587,109, later in 2000s it is 6,471,089 which has increased by 81% of the previous year.
Coming to the complete city, it is 79,216 initially in 1800 and later it has kept increasing up to 3,437,202 by 1900 and 8,009,185 by 2000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to summarize the data but fails to provide a clear, accurate overview. The interpretation of the figures is problematic; for instance, the claim that Manhattan's population increased by 76% in 1800 is not supported by the provided data. The report lacks a logical selection of key features, focusing instead on confusing percentage calculations that do not accurately reflect the trends in the tables. To improve, you must focus on identifying the most significant changes—such as the rapid growth of the total population and the shift in dominance between boroughs—rather than listing isolated, inaccurate statistics. The summary is underdeveloped and lacks the necessary analytical depth for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes confusing, such as the transition 'Now, the population change in other districts is...'. The referencing is often unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow which data point corresponds to which year or district. While there is a basic structure, the lack of logical flow between sentences and the repetitive nature of the phrasing hinder the overall coherence of the report. Better use of linking words and clearer signposting would improve the readability.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'increased' and 'population'. There are inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'complete city' instead of 'total population' or 'entire city'. The attempt to use percentages is hampered by a lack of precision in describing the data. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to use a wider range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'surged', 'fluctuated', or 'remained stable', and ensure that your terminology is appropriate for an academic report. The current range is just enough to convey the basic meaning but lacks the flexibility required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains several grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'The tables given below shows' (should be 'show') and 'which clearly show in the table' (should be 'shows'). The sentence structures are relatively simple, and there is a lack of complex sentence forms. Punctuation is generally functional, but the misuse of tenses and awkward phrasing, such as 'later in 2000s it is 6,471,089', detracts from the overall accuracy. Focusing on consistent tense usage and refining sentence structure will help improve your score in this area.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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