Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The first table show the population changes with in a time period of 200 years in the capital state of USA, New York City. The table explains the population increase from 1800 to 2000. In 1800, the population of the New York City was reported as 79,216 people and sixteen. With the passage of a century, in 1900, the population increased from that number to 3,437,202 people. So in one hundred years the increase in the population was recorded as 3,357,986 people. And then in 2000, the population increased from 3,437,202 to 8,009,185people. this was a record increase in the population. The difference in the population between 1900 and 2000 is 7,661,983 people. This means in one hundred years 7,661,983 people increased.

In the next table, the population increase is recorded with percentage of other cities like Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx Queens and Staten Island. In 1800, the population of Manhattan was reported as 60,515 which was the 76% of the total population. But in 1900, the population was increased upto1,850,093. A massive increase in the population but the percentage of the total population was dropped to 54%. Ans then again in 2000, the population was recorded as 1,538,096. The population rate was dropped along with the percentage of total population which was 19%.

The last table shows the population change in 4 different cities such as Brooklyn, Bronx Queens and Staten Island collectively. In 1800, the population of these cities was just 18,701 which was the 24% of the total population. Then in 1900, the population had a record breaking increase. The population number escalated up to 1,587,109 people, which was the 46% of the total population. Then at last in 2000, the population increased up to 6,471,089 people. This number was the total of 81% of the population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all parts of the task by summarizing the population trends for New York City and its districts. However, the analysis is heavily reliant on listing raw data rather than synthesizing the information. For example, the student calculates differences between years manually, which is unnecessary and distracts from identifying the main trends. The description of the districts is also slightly inaccurate; the prompt lists five districts, but the student groups them into two categories (Manhattan vs. the rest), which is a valid approach, but the calculation of the 2000 population difference for the total city is mathematically incorrect (the student states the difference is 7,661,983, which is wrong).

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into three paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'In the next table' and 'The last table' are used to transition between sections, but the internal flow within paragraphs is choppy. The referencing is sometimes unclear, and the logical progression is hindered by the focus on individual data points rather than a cohesive summary of the trends. Paragraphing is present but could be more effectively used to group the data by trend rather than by table.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks sophistication. The student uses basic verbs like 'increased', 'reported', and 'dropped' repeatedly. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'capital state of USA' (New York City is a city, not a state) and 'population rate was dropped'. While the meaning is generally clear, the vocabulary does not demonstrate the flexibility or precision required for a higher band. The use of 'record breaking' is a good attempt at descriptive language, but overall, the lexical range remains limited.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that, while not impeding communication, are noticeable. Examples include 'The first table show' (subject-verb agreement), 'upto1,850,093' (spacing error), and '8,009,185people' (missing space). The use of articles is also inconsistent throughout the text. While the student attempts to use complex structures, the control is not consistent, and the errors occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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