Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-04
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 three tables provide data of difference in population of New York City and it’s five districts between the year 1800 and 2000.
Overall, the population is significantly higher in 2000 in New York city.
Manhattan has experienced a substantially lower rate of population over the years 1900 to 2000 from 54% to 19% even though it increased from 1800 to 1900. The other respective districts have a surge in population from 24% to 46% along the years 1800 to 1900. The number dramatically increased from 1,587,109 to 6,471,089 after the year 1900 causing the percentage to rise till 81% of the total population in the year 2000.
Manhattan has almost the same amount of population in the year 2000 with all other four states combined in the year 1900 which is around 1,500,000 respectively.
New York City has the population of 6,471,089 in the year 2000 which sums up to
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 summarize the data but fails to provide a clear, comprehensive overview. While it identifies some trends, the analysis is fragmented and lacks a logical connection between the three tables. The student struggles to interpret the data accurately; for instance, the claim that Manhattan's population increased from 1800 to 1900 is contradicted by the provided table, which shows a decline in percentage share. Furthermore, the response ends abruptly mid-sentence, leaving the task incomplete. Key features such as the total population growth and the shift in district proportions are not clearly synthesized, leading to a lack of clarity in the overall reporting.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay lacks a clear structure. The paragraphs are poorly defined, and the progression of ideas is disjointed. While there are some attempts at cohesive devices, such as 'Overall' and 'even though', they are often used incorrectly or do not effectively link the information. The referencing is frequently unclear, particularly when discussing the 'other respective districts' and comparing them to Manhattan. The abrupt ending significantly disrupts the flow of the text, making the overall arrangement feel incomplete and difficult to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive. The student relies on basic terms like 'difference', 'number', and 'increased'. There are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'rate of population' instead of 'proportion of the population' and 'states' when referring to the districts of New York City. The phrasing is often awkward, which occasionally hinders the reader's understanding of the data. To reach a higher band, the student needs to use more precise terminology related to data description, such as 'proportion', 'fluctuated', 'accounted for', and 'surpassed'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'The three tables provide data of difference' and 'The other respective districts have a surge'. Punctuation is also problematic, notably the misuse of the apostrophe in 'it’s' (it is) instead of the possessive 'its'. The sentence structures are generally simple, and attempts at more complex sentences often result in errors, such as the confusing construction regarding the comparison of Manhattan's population to the other districts. The unfinished final sentence further highlights a lack of control.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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