Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The graph illustrates changes in the whole population of New York city between 1800 and 2000. Second an third table demonstrate diffrance in the populatin of the five districts of the city over the same time .
Overall , in the first table population increased rapidly . When we focused on second and third graph , in Manhattan population percentages decline gradually while other districts percentages rised sharply .
Looking at the first table , populations started at 79,216 and then surged 3,437,202 . Finally became 8,009,185 in 2000,
Looking at the second table , population grew 60,515 to 1,850,096 ; however , percentage decreased 76% to 54% . Population became 1,538,096 in 2000 but percentage declined 19%.
Looking at the third table . percentage and population follow each other. Population started at 18,701 and percentage was 24% and then became 46% ,81% , respectively. Population number has the similar sitaution as percentages. İnit
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 address the task by summarizing the provided tables, but it fails to provide a clear or accurate overview of the data. While the main trends are identified, the reporting of figures is often confusing or mathematically incorrect based on the provided tables. For instance, the statement that the population 'surged 3,437,202' is unclear, and the analysis of the second and third tables lacks precision. The response is somewhat underdeveloped, as it does not effectively compare the districts or synthesize the data in a way that highlights the most significant features. To improve, focus on selecting key data points that illustrate the overall trends rather than listing raw numbers without context.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes inaccurate, such as the abrupt transition 'İnit' at the end of the text. Referencing is often unclear, particularly when referring to 'second and third table' without specifying which districts are being discussed. The lack of clear signposting makes it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between the different time periods and the various districts. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear focus would significantly enhance the flow and readability of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying on basic terms like 'increased', 'grew', and 'decline'. There are several spelling errors, such as 'diffrance', 'populatin', 'rised', and 'sitaution', which occasionally impede the reader's understanding. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to convey the data with the precision required for an Academic Task 1 report. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use a wider variety of verbs and nouns to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'accounted for', and ensure that technical terms are spelled correctly.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including issues with article usage ('the whole population of New York city'), subject-verb agreement ('population percentages rised'), and sentence structure. Many sentences are fragmented or lack necessary prepositions, making the text feel disjointed. While there is an attempt to use complex structures, these are often faulty or unclear. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before commas and periods. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like tense consistency and pluralization before attempting more complex grammatical structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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