Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-28
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 1st, given coulums illustrates the growing population in the New York City from year 1800 to 2000. Following that the second and third coulum showing the rising population of Manhattan and other districts over the same period. All three tables demonstrates the significant increase in population over three years.
The first table specifically shows the demographics of all five districts of New York City. A prominant raise can be seen between 1800 to 1900. In the year of 2000 the number has increase steadily to a huge number of 8,009,185.
However, the second table provided the percentage along with the population numbers, which make it convinient to understand. As shown in the table in the year of 1800 the population experienced a sharp rise of 76%, whereas the following years of 1900 and 2000 declined considerably.
Moreover the third table depicts the combined data of other districts over the same years. As compare to above tables this tends to show a slight rose of 24% in the first year, while in 1900 the percentage went to 46%. In the final year the population reached a peak of 81%.
Overall, it is clear that the population has been raised every following year in all the areas.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to summarise the data but fails to accurately interpret the tables. You have misread the data significantly; for example, you state that the population in 1800 experienced a 'sharp rise of 76%', whereas the table shows this as a percentage share of the total population. Furthermore, you describe the population as having 'declined considerably' in 1900 and 2000, which contradicts the clear upward trend shown in the figures. While you identify the main features, the misinterpretation of the data leads to inaccurate reporting. To improve, ensure you distinguish between raw population numbers and percentage shares, and double-check your reading of the trends before writing.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or misused. For instance, 'Following that' is used awkwardly to introduce the second and third tables. The transition 'As compare to above tables' is grammatically incorrect and disrupts the flow. While there is an overall progression, the logical links between sentences are occasionally weak, and the referencing of the tables is repetitive. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring they are used in the correct context would enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but there are several instances of word-choice errors and non-standard collocations. For example, you use 'coulums' (spelling error) instead of 'tables', and 'prominant raise' instead of 'prominent rise'. The phrase 'huge number of' is somewhat informal for an academic report. You also struggle with word forms, such as using 'increase' as a verb where a noun is needed, or 'raised' instead of 'risen'. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise academic vocabulary and ensuring correct word forms.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include subject-verb agreement ('All three tables demonstrates'), incorrect verb tenses ('the number has increase'), and awkward phrasing ('the second table provided the percentage'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the response from reaching a higher band. You should focus on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and ensuring consistent verb tenses when describing historical data.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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