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 first table depict the total number of population in New York City from 1800 to 2000. In addition, the second and third tables illustrates the change in the population of the five districts over the same years.
Overall, the total population of New York City in each year was given in first table and the population was higher in 2000 as compared to other two years. Moreover, population changes in the five district with percentage were given in the second and third table. In second table district Manhattan had huge population in 1800. While in the third table percentage of all four district was given. A significant rose in population was observed in 2000.
In the first table the population in 1800 was 79,216 then in the year 1900 number of the population had increased to 3,437,202. Higher number observed in 2000.
Therefore, in the second table district Manhattan population had changed every year, in 1800 population was higher but in 2000 only 19 percent people lived there. In contrast, third table displayed different data, in 2000 all four districts were covering 81 percent of population which was higher than the year 1800.
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 summarise the data but fails to clearly report the main features. The description of the trends is fragmented and lacks a clear analytical focus. For instance, the mention of '19 percent' for Manhattan in 2000 is presented without sufficient context or comparison to the earlier years. Furthermore, the data interpretation is occasionally confusing, such as the vague reference to 'all four districts' in the third table. To improve, you should group the data more logically—perhaps by comparing the total population growth against the shifting proportions of the districts—and ensure that the key figures are presented accurately and clearly to support your summary.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes inaccurate, such as the use of 'Therefore' to introduce a new paragraph that does not logically follow from the previous one. Referencing is often unclear; for example, it is difficult to follow which specific data points are being compared when you refer to 'second table' or 'third table' without clearly linking them to the trends they represent. Improving the use of transition signals and ensuring each paragraph has a clear topic sentence would significantly enhance the flow of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The range of vocabulary is limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on basic terms like 'number', 'higher', and 'change'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'significant rose' (should be 'significant rise') and 'total number of population' (which is redundant; 'total population' is sufficient). To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise vocabulary related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'accounted for', 'proportion', and 'dramatic increase', and ensure that your word forms are used correctly in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the clarity of the message. Subject-verb agreement is a recurring issue, such as 'The first table depict' (should be 'depicts') and 'tables illustrates' (should be 'illustrate'). Additionally, there are errors with articles ('in first table' instead of 'in the first table') and sentence structure. While you attempt some complex sentences, they are often marred by these errors. Focusing on basic accuracy, particularly subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles, will help improve your score. You should also aim to vary your sentence structures more effectively.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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