Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-07

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)

As we know the table shows about the changes of populations in some cities. The first table shows the changes of population in New York city which varies from year to year. In 1800 the population was 79,216 but further it increases rapidly in 1900 and become 3,437,202. But the process of increasing population was mot stopped and finally in 2000 the population reaches at 8,009,185. Here the conculision is that the population is high in 2 000 in New York city. In the second table the strength shows the population of Manhattan which varies by year as the New York city ,which are 76%, in 1900 , 54% in 1900 and 19% in 2000.But in the third table shows the population of other four countries which are same to each of the country like 24% in 1800 , 46% in 1900 and 81% in 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While you identify the main trends in the first table, the analysis of the second and third tables is inaccurate and confusing. You misinterpret the data by referring to the boroughs as 'countries' and fail to clearly compare the specific districts. The summary lacks a clear overview of the data provided, and the interpretation of the percentages is flawed. To improve, ensure you accurately report the data points and provide a clear, concise summary of the key trends rather than listing individual figures without context.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response lacks logical paragraphing, appearing as a single block of text. Cohesive devices are used in a very mechanical and repetitive way, such as 'The first table shows' and 'In the second table'. The progression of ideas is disjointed, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between the different tables. To improve, use clear paragraph breaks to separate the introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. Incorporate a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'conversely', 'in contrast', 'furthermore') to connect your ideas more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple verbs like 'shows' and 'is'. There are significant errors in word choice, such as referring to the New York City boroughs as 'countries'. The phrase 'the strength shows' is unnatural in this context. To reach a higher band, you need to use a more varied range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'surged', 'remained stable', or 'accounted for'. Avoid repeating the same sentence structures and vocabulary throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'the process of increasing population was mot stopped' (spelling and tense error) and 'the population reaches at 8,009,185' (incorrect preposition). There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the punctuation is inconsistent, particularly with the spacing in '2 000'. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and correct tense usage. Practice combining simple sentences into more complex ones using relative clauses or subordinating conjunctions to demonstrate a wider grammatical range.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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