Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-31
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 summary is about the increased and decreased in population of New York city.
Overall, it is about the change in population from 1800 to 2000 in New York city and it five districts.
The first table show the difference in population in New York city. In 1800 the population is seventy nine thousand two hundred and sixteen, and then it increased to thirty four lack thirty seven thousand two hundred and two in 1900. after that in 2000 it increased to eighty lack nine thousand one hundred and eighty five, which clearly shows that the population is increasing in New York city with the year changes.
The second and third table show the change in population of the five districts of New York city. In First district named Manhattan, the population is sixty thousand five hundred and fifteen in 1800 and then in 1900 it increased to eighteen lack fifty thousand and ninety three. In 2000 it decreased to fifteen lack thirty eight thousand and ninety six. The population in the next four districts names Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten island, is increased from year after year. in 1800 it was twenty four percent, then in 1900 it was forty six percent and then in 2000 it was eighty one percent.
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 covers the main trends in the data, but it lacks a clear overview of the most significant features. While you mention the population increase, you do not effectively compare the districts or highlight the contrasting trends between Manhattan and the other boroughs. The use of 'lack' instead of 'million' is a significant error that misrepresents the data, making the figures confusing. Furthermore, the description of the second table is mathematically inaccurate, as you describe percentages rather than the raw population figures provided in the prompt. To improve, focus on identifying the most striking differences and trends rather than listing every data point.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is repetitive and sometimes mechanical, such as the frequent use of 'and then' and 'in 1800... in 1900... in 2000'. The referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly when discussing the 'next four districts', which makes it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison. Paragraphing is present, but the internal structure of the paragraphs lacks a clear focus, resulting in a list-like presentation of data rather than a cohesive summary.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and contains significant errors that impede clarity. The use of 'lack' to represent millions is a major lexical error that distorts the data. Additionally, the phrase 'increased and decreased in population' is grammatically awkward. There is a lack of variety in reporting verbs and descriptive language; you rely heavily on basic terms like 'increased' and 'show'. To reach a higher band, you should use more precise terminology for describing trends, such as 'surged', 'plummeted', or 'remained stable', and ensure that numerical units are used correctly.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response relies on simple sentence structures, and there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'it five districts' (missing preposition), 'The first table show' (subject-verb agreement), and 'the population is... in 1800' (incorrect tense for historical data). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing capital letters for proper nouns like 'island' and 'city'. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of basic errors in tense and agreement limits the score. You should focus on using past tenses consistently for historical data and improving subject-verb agreement.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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