Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-03
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 tabular data compares the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. While the other two tabular data illustrate the variation in the population of five different districts of the city that is Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.
Overall, in 2000, the highest number of population is recorded in New York City. For two decades alone Manhattan accounted the highest ratio of population while, rest districts leads in 2000.
According to 1800, the total population is 60,515 in Manhattan which is the highest figures recorded with 76% ratio as compared to other districts which is accounted for , 18,701 number of population with 24%.
In 1900, again Manhattan stood at first position witnessing 1,850,093 number of population with 54% ratio. Whereas, other districts have recorded 1,587,109 number of population with 46%.
In 2000, surprisingly, other districts represented the highest density of population which is, 6,471,089 with 81% ratio of total population. By contrary, Manhattan's population noticed only 18,701 with 24%, the smallest figures of this year.
Analyzing the total number of population, In 2000, the figures surged at 8,009,185 followed by 1900, 3,437,202. In 1800, it is observed 79,216.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the data, but there are significant inaccuracies in the interpretation of the figures. For instance, you state that Manhattan's population in 2000 was 18,701, which contradicts the provided data. Additionally, the description of 'other districts' is confusingly presented, and the comparison between the total population and the district breakdown lacks clarity. While you attempt to identify trends, the misreading of the data points significantly impacts the accuracy of your summary. To improve, ensure you carefully cross-reference the figures in the table with your written descriptions to avoid factual errors.
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 phrase 'By contrary' which is non-standard. The progression of ideas is sometimes hindered by the factual errors mentioned in the task achievement section. While there is a logical attempt to move from 1800 to 2000, the transitions between the total population and the district-specific data are not always smooth. Using a wider range of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear focus would improve the overall flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks precision. You rely on repetitive phrasing such as 'number of population' and 'ratio of population'. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'tabular data illustrates the variation' and 'surged at'. To reach a higher band, try to use more varied and precise terminology related to data description, such as 'proportion', 'percentage', 'fluctuated', or 'accounted for'. The current range is sufficient to convey basic meaning, but it does not demonstrate the flexibility required for higher scores.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'the other two tabular data illustrate' (subject-verb agreement), 'rest districts leads' (article usage and verb agreement), and 'Manhattan accounted the highest ratio' (missing preposition). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to be noticeable. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles would significantly enhance the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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