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 table charts compare the total population of New York city between 1800 and 2000, and total population in percentage in manhattan and other districts during the same time period.
At the beginning of the period in New york population stood at 79,216 in 1800. It then increased gradually to 3,437,202 in 1900. After that it took a high peak at 8,009,185 in 2000.
Movingahead with Manhattan city, the figure stood at 60,515 population with 76 % initially. It then increased significantly in 1900 and the population was 1,850,093 with 54 % , following this 1,538,096 population in 2000 with 19 %. It was significant that as population increased over the time period the percentage of total population fell down. In contrast, Other districts Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island , It was significant that as population increased over the time period the percentage of total population was risen up, at the beginning it was at 18,701 and at the end it was 6,471,089 in 2000.
Overall, it is clear that New York city had the highest population, whereas other districts had the lowest population. In addition Manhattan population increased and there total population percentage were decreased.
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 features of the data, including the total population growth and the shifting proportions between Manhattan and the other districts. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you correctly identify the trends, the comparison between the districts is slightly muddled in the third paragraph. You mention 'other districts' as a group, but the prompt provides data for individual districts, which could have been used to provide a more detailed comparison. The overview is present but could be more effectively integrated to highlight the most significant contrast between the central district and the outer areas.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or repetitive, such as the repeated use of 'It was significant that'. The transition between the description of Manhattan and the other districts is a bit abrupt. Additionally, some referencing is unclear; for example, the phrase 'Movingahead with Manhattan city' is slightly awkward. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would elevate the coherence of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to convey the basic trends in the data. You use some relevant terms like 'increased gradually' and 'significant'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'took a high peak' (should be 'reached a peak') and 'was risen up' (should be 'rose' or 'increased'). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate more precise terminology related to data trends and statistical changes.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with verb tenses and passive voice constructions, such as 'total population in percentage in manhattan' and 'there total population percentage were decreased'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some spacing issues around commas. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to suggest a need for more careful proofreading and a better grasp of subject-verb agreement and prepositional usage.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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