Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-30
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)
This paragraph shows that the change of population in New York city in its all five districts. Overall, the population in 1800 is 79216 it it grow into [redacted phone] in 1900 and it becomes [redacted phone] in 2000.
Getting back to the details, in Manhattan district the population is 60515 in 1800 around 76% to other four districts. In all the four districts its only 18701 only 24%. In 1900 it is about 54% and it is [redacted phone] and its percentage in Brooklyn Bronx Queens and in Staten Island is 46% and it is around about [redacted phone].
All the other districts grow up in large number of percentage in population in 2000, in Manhattan it is [redacted phone] approximately 19% but on the other side in all other districts it grow up 81% and in [redacted phone] numbers.
In the end the percentage in population in 1800 in Manhattan is more then all the other four districts. In 2000 the percentage in four districts is more then the Manhattan.
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 attempts to summarize the data, but it fails to clearly present the main features. The description of the data is often confusing and inaccurate, particularly regarding the percentages and the grouping of districts. For example, the claim that Manhattan accounted for 76% of the population in 1800 is not supported by the provided data. Furthermore, the report lacks a clear overview of the trends, and the comparison between Manhattan and the other districts is repetitive and difficult to follow. The response would benefit from a more structured approach that clearly identifies the total population growth and the shifting distribution between Manhattan and the other four districts over the two-century period.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is limited and often mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'in 1800' and 'in 2000'. The transition between sentences is frequently abrupt, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison of data. While there is an attempt to group information, the lack of clear referencing and the confusing structure of the sentences hinder the overall flow. To improve, you should use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. Phrases like 'grow up in large number of percentage' and 'on the other side' are used incorrectly or awkwardly. There is a lack of precision in describing statistical trends; for instance, using 'grow up' instead of 'increase' or 'rise'. The student struggles to use appropriate terminology for describing data, such as 'proportion' or 'accounted for'. To reach a higher band, you should focus on learning collocations related to data description and avoid repeating the same basic verbs and nouns throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the population... it grow'), incorrect preposition usage, and awkward sentence structures. The use of complex sentences is limited, and when attempted, they often contain errors, such as 'in Manhattan district the population is 60515 in 1800 around 76% to other four districts'. Punctuation is also inconsistent. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence structures, ensuring correct verb tenses when discussing historical data, and practicing the use of relative clauses to combine simple ideas into more complex ones.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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