Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The table display total population of New York city, and the population of five districts of the city from 1800 to 2000..
Overall, dramatically increased was seen in city population from 1800 to 2000, and the population share of Manhattan decrease.
The city had a total population 79,216 after dramatically increase it reach on 8,009,815 till 2000.
The total number of living citizens also rise in Manhattan FROM 60515 in 1800 to [redacted phone] in 2000 with the peak in 19000, however flabbergastically the percentage of living in these cities are decrease from 1800 to 2000 76% was in 1800 while it reach 19% in 2000.
In, other districts Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island together had a of population of 18,701 in 1800 which is 24% and 1,[redacted phone] in 1900 which was 46% at last it was on peek in 2000 the total population of this city reach 6,471,089 which is 81%.
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 features of the data, such as the overall growth of the population and the shift in proportions between Manhattan and the other districts. However, the report is hampered by significant inaccuracies in data reporting. For example, the text mentions a peak in 19000 (a clear typo) and provides inconsistent figures that do not align well with the provided tables. While the main trends are identified, the lack of precision in reporting the data and the failure to clearly compare the specific districts throughout the period limit the development of the response. The overview is present but could be more clearly articulated to highlight the most significant trends.
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 often mechanical or inaccurate, such as the awkward transition 'In, other districts'. The progression of ideas is sometimes disjointed, particularly in the final paragraph where the data presentation becomes confusing. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the flow between sentences is hindered by grammatical errors. While there is an attempt to group information, the overall logical progression is not sufficiently smooth to reach a higher band.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The range of vocabulary is limited and often repetitive. There are several instances of word-choice errors and non-standard phrasing, such as 'flabbergastically' (which is inappropriate in this context) and 'at last it was on peek'. The student attempts to use some academic vocabulary, but the lack of precision and frequent errors in collocation and word form impede the clarity of the report. To improve, the student needs to focus on using precise terminology for describing trends and ensuring that words are used in their correct context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that affect readability. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the population share of Manhattan decrease'), incorrect verb tenses, and awkward sentence structures (e.g., 'the total number of living citizens also rise'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of commas. While the student attempts some complex structures, they are often faulty, leading to a lack of clarity. The majority of sentences contain errors, which prevents the response from reaching a higher band for grammatical accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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