Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
One table illustrates changes in the population size in New York between 1800 to 2000. Similarly, other two table represent the percentage change of total population in five various districts in the same timeline.
Overall, the total population increased in all the five regions. During initial years, Manhattan had the highest population while other showed a significant lower numbers. However, Manhattan considered as a less populated city whereas other cities became recorded greater population.
In term of New York city, the total population was around 79,216 in 1800. This figure rose to [redacted phone] by 1900 and even further to [redacted phone] by 2000.
Now, evaluating the data of individual districts it is observed that, in 1800 Manhattan had the highest proportion of population that was 76% whereas others recorded 24% which is the literally a vast number. But, these percentage of five regions became nearly equal in 1900. By 2000, a significant growth was observed in the population in Brookly, Bronx,Queens and Staten Island and it reached to 81%. In contrast, mahattan population decreased by 19%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the data, such as the overall population growth and the shift in distribution between Manhattan and the other districts. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. For instance, the statement that the percentages became 'nearly equal' in 1900 is not fully supported by the data, and the description of the 2000 figures lacks precision. The summary of the total population is accurate, but the comparison between the districts could be more detailed to reach a higher band. The response addresses all parts of the task but lacks a clear, analytical overview of the trends.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'In term of New York city' and 'Now, evaluating the data'. There are also issues with referencing; for example, the phrase 'other showed a significant lower numbers' is grammatically unclear and disrupts the flow. While the progression of ideas is generally logical, the lack of sophisticated linking words limits the coherence of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. There are several instances of awkward word choice, such as 'significant lower numbers' instead of 'significantly lower numbers' and 'literally a vast number', which is inappropriate for an academic report. Additionally, there are spelling errors like 'mahattan' and 'Brookly'. To improve, you should focus on using more precise terminology for describing trends and data, such as 'proportion', 'fluctuation', or 'distribution'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'other two table represent' (missing pluralisation), 'Manhattan considered as a less populated city' (missing auxiliary verb), and 'it reached to 81%' (incorrect preposition usage). While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct article usage would significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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