Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-26
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 given tables compare the total population of New York city including five district of the city Manhattan from 1800 to 2000.
Overall, the population of new York city had increase over the period. whereas, Manhattan city experienced significantly decrease and other district faced increase over the period.
Initially, the proportion of new York city experienced some difference over the period. In first year, the population was about 79,216. However, it suddenly turned increase and became 3,437,202 in 1900. In the same way, it increased approximately 8,009,185 in final year.
By contrast, the percentage of population slightly decrease in Manhattan city. In 1800 the population was 60,515. however, it decrease significantly about 54%. In the same way, the percentage of Manhattan city was 19% in 2000. Whereas, other districts experienced gradually increasing in percentage of total population. In 1800 the proportion of the population was 18,701 and about 24% . Also it turned into increase by 46% in 1900. In the final year, the percentage of Total population was 81% in 2000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| 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 trends, such as the overall population growth and the shift in proportions between Manhattan and the other districts. However, the analysis is hampered by significant inaccuracies in data interpretation. For instance, the claim that Manhattan's population 'decreased significantly about 54%' is not supported by the provided data, which shows a rise and then a decline, and the interpretation of percentages is confusing. The report lacks a clear distinction between raw numbers and percentages, leading to a confusing summary. To improve, ensure that data points are accurately transcribed and that the distinction between total population figures and proportional shifts is clearly articulated.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. For example, 'whereas' is used incorrectly to start a sentence in the second paragraph, and 'in the same way' is used repeatedly to introduce contrasting or unrelated information. The logical progression is frequently interrupted by these awkward transitions and unclear referencing. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words correctly and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus that flows logically into the next.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'increase', 'decrease', and 'proportion'. There are several instances of word-choice errors, such as 'turned increase' and 'experienced gradually increasing', which sound unnatural. The student struggles to use precise terminology to describe statistical trends. To improve, you should incorporate more varied verbs and adverbs to describe changes (e.g., 'surged', 'plummeted', 'fluctuated') and ensure that nouns and verbs are used in the correct grammatical form to convey meaning accurately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('population... had increase'), article usage ('the proportion of new York city'), and sentence structure ('it suddenly turned increase'). While there is an attempt to use complex sentences, they are often faulty or contain errors that distract the reader. The punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of capital letters after full stops. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for subject-verb agreement would significantly improve the quality of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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