Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-01
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 provides information about in the total population of new York city from 1800 to 2000 and the second and third tables illustrate changes in the population of the five districts of the city of Manhattan , Brooklyn , Bronx ,Queens and State island over the same period .
Overall ,the population in new York city was lowest initially . It then increased steadily and reached at the highest in the final year .
In 1800 , the population of new York city was 79,216 and at that time the population was highest in Manhattan as compared to other cities of new York . It then rose to 3,437,202 in 1900 and it reached highest at 8,009,185 in 2000 respectively .
By comparing the population of all the cities in new York , the people in Manhattan were highest in 1800 as 60,515 . With the passage of time the population increased , the population recorded 54% in Manhattan city as compared to other cities in 1900 where the population was 46% .It then decreased in Manhattan as compared to other cities in 2000 like 19% and 81% respectively , but not decreased in new York .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main trends in the total population and attempts to compare the districts. However, the analysis is incomplete. While you mention the total population growth, the specific data for the five districts is largely ignored, except for a brief mention of Manhattan. The task requires a more comprehensive summary of the changes across all five districts over the two centuries. The comparison between Manhattan and the 'other cities' is somewhat confusingly presented, and the data interpretation lacks the precision required for a Band 6 or higher. To improve, ensure you highlight the key shifts in all districts rather than focusing only on the total and one borough.
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 somewhat mechanical and occasionally inaccurate. For example, the phrase 'but not decreased in new York' at the end of the final paragraph is confusing and lacks a clear logical link to the preceding clause. Additionally, the referencing is sometimes unclear, such as when you refer to the districts as 'other cities of new York'. Improving the use of transition signals and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus would enhance the logical flow of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. You rely on basic verbs like 'increased' and 'rose' repeatedly. There are also some inaccuracies in word choice, such as referring to the boroughs as 'cities of new York' and the spelling error 'State island' instead of 'Staten Island'. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate a wider range of synonyms for growth and decline, and ensure that geographical names and terminology are used accurately throughout your report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include incorrect preposition usage ('reached at the highest'), inconsistent capitalisation ('new York city'), and awkward phrasing ('the population recorded 54% in Manhattan city'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before commas. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Reviewing basic sentence construction will help you produce more error-free sentences, which is essential for moving into the 6.0+ band range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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