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 demonstrate the significant fluctuations in the overall population of New York from 1800 to 2000 century.
Overall the population increased with passing centuries of New York. A remarkable changed was occurr in 2000 when the population become doubled from 1900. However the numbers of individual in 1800 was 79,216 which was the one half of 2000 population. In 1900 the citizens rate enhanced with significant change.
Moreover the other two tables illustrated the population rose in the different states of New York. In 1800 majority of people lived in manhattan which comprised on 76% population as compared to others districts. Furthermore, it was seemed that in 1900 states of manhattan consist of 54% citizens in contrast of others districts. The number of individuals lived in manhattan was almost half of the people who spend their lives in other states.
Next the notable change was happened in 2000 population . The rate of human beings rose up steadily in this era and only 19per individuals stayed in Manhattan shows huge difference in the population of other districts of New York in which 81% citizens lived there.
All tables demonstrated the changes in population ration of New York and 2000 year have majority of citizens and recorded the overcrowding century of New York.
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 covers the main features of the data, such as the overall population growth and the shift in distribution from Manhattan to the other districts. However, the analysis is hampered by inaccurate reporting of the data. For example, the claim that the population in 2000 was double that of 1900 is incorrect based on the provided figures (3.4 million vs 8 million). Additionally, the statement that 1800 was 'one half' of 2000 is mathematically inaccurate. The report lacks precision in selecting and highlighting key data points, leading to a somewhat confused summary.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is frequently disrupted by awkward phrasing and unclear referencing. While some cohesive devices are used (e.g., 'Moreover', 'Furthermore', 'Next'), they are often applied mechanically or incorrectly. The progression of ideas is not always smooth, and the connection between the tables is not clearly articulated. The final paragraph is somewhat repetitive and does not effectively synthesise the information presented in the body paragraphs.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and often used inaccurately. Phrases like 'citizens rate enhanced', 'comprised on', and 'overcrowding century' are non-standard and impede clarity. There is an attempt to use academic vocabulary, but the lack of control over collocations and word forms (e.g., '19per individuals') restricts the range. The student relies on basic descriptors, and the misuse of terminology makes the report difficult to follow in several places.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that affect readability. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('population become doubled', 'numbers of individual... was'), tense usage ('was occurr', 'was seemed'), and sentence structure. Complex structures are attempted but are almost always faulty, leading to confusion. Simple sentences are generally understandable, but the high frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the response from reaching a higher band.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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