Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-25
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 table reveals the statistics of total population in New York city between the years 1800 to 2000. It can be seen that clearly there is close competition among the given facts, where the trend reflect an evident fluctuation across the timeline.
The statistics now need to be illustrated individually -cum-comparatively. First, we will take 2000 as the on dominating the table 8,009,185.It can seen be that the population gradually mounts. Next the object occupying the second place differs only by 3,437,2020 and here the ratio was increasing slowly.
The second and third table reflects a similar situation of trends. here in Manhattan and other district population will increasing in 1800 to 2000 and percentage gradually mounts. In conclusion ,therefore it is object to assert that the table present a wide range of fact illustrating a whole mechanism. Considering the fact , the fluctuation depicts a significant activity in the said fields .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to address the task requirements effectively. While it mentions the population data, it does not accurately report the main features or make relevant comparisons between the districts or over the time period. The data provided is largely inaccurate or misinterpreted (e.g., the reference to '3,437,2020' is unclear and confusing). The response lacks a clear overview and fails to select key information from the tables, instead providing vague, non-specific commentary. To improve, you must identify the most significant trends, such as the overall growth of New York City and the specific shifts in population share among the five boroughs, using the actual figures provided in the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay lacks a logical structure. While there is an attempt at paragraphing, the progression of ideas is disjointed and difficult to follow. Cohesive devices are used in a mechanical and often inappropriate manner, such as 'First, we will take 2000 as the on dominating the table'. The relationship between the sentences is often unclear, making it difficult for the reader to understand the intended comparison. To improve, focus on using clear topic sentences for each paragraph and logical linking words (e.g., 'in contrast', 'furthermore', 'consequently') to connect your observations about the data.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and often used incorrectly, which impedes communication. Phrases like 'the object occupying the second place' and 'the table present a wide range of fact illustrating a whole mechanism' are unnatural and imprecise. There is a lack of academic vocabulary suitable for describing statistical data. To improve, learn specific collocations for reporting data, such as 'the population experienced a steady increase' or 'the figures show a significant upward trend'. Avoid using overly complex or vague terminology that does not accurately describe the information presented in the tables.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that often obscure the meaning. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the trend reflect', 'population will increasing'), incorrect word order, and awkward sentence construction. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after periods and unnecessary hyphens. The range of structures is very limited, consisting mostly of simple, error-prone sentences. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence structures and ensuring consistent subject-verb agreement. Proofreading for common errors like tense consistency and article usage will also help improve the clarity of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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