Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-02
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)
Intro: The tables illustrate the changes in the population of New York City and compare the populations of Manhattan with the other four districts between the year 1800 to 2000.
The overall analysis was that the population of New York City increased dramatically over the period rising from 79,216 in 1800 to 8 million in 2000. Although Manhattan initially contained the majority of the city’s population but the share declined considerably while the other four districts became increasingly populated.
The second table shows that in 1800 manhattan was higher than the other four districts which was 60,515 and the percentage was 76%.in the next years the number of population increased from 60,515 to 1,850,093 in 1900.but then there was surge drop seen in the population of manhattan in the next years it dropped from 76% to 19%.
Secondly the four other districts were different in the first year the population was low 18,701 in 1800 but the increased to 1,578,109 in 1900 and than the highest in year 2000 which was 6,471,089.there was a constant rise in the number and percentage from 24% to 81% of these four districts.
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, identifying the overall growth of New York City and the shift in population distribution from Manhattan to the other four districts. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you mention the figures, you could improve by highlighting specific turning points or comparing the growth rates more explicitly between the two groups. The structure is logical, but the summary of the data in the second table is slightly repetitive. To reach a higher band, ensure that you synthesize the information rather than just listing numbers, and provide a clearer overview of the trends across the entire 200-year period.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally inaccurate. For example, the transition 'in the next years' is used repeatedly, and the phrase 'but then there was surge drop' lacks a proper cohesive link to the previous sentence. The referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly when discussing the 'four other districts' as a group. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence would significantly enhance the flow and logical progression of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the main points, such as 'increased dramatically', 'considerably', and 'percentage'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'surge drop' (which is contradictory) and 'the number of population' (which should be 'the population'). Additionally, some phrasing is repetitive. To improve, try to use more precise academic vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'proportion', 'fluctuated', or 'accounted for', and ensure that your word choices are natural and contextually appropriate for a formal report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally hinder readability. For instance, there are issues with sentence boundaries (e.g., '...in 1800 but the increased to...'), missing articles, and incorrect verb tenses. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with several run-on sentences and missing capital letters at the start of sentences. While the meaning is generally clear, these persistent errors prevent the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and proper sentence construction will help improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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