Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The first table underneath exhibit convert in the total populationand the of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables reveal the transformation in the population of the five districts of the city ( Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island ) over the same period.
In summary, overall, the population of New York City increased dramatically between 1800 and 2000. Although Manhattan was initially the most populous district, Brooklyn and Queens experienced particularly strong growth over the period, while Staten Island remained the least populated area.
In explanation, the population of New York City for all five districts in 1800 year are population 79,216, and the overall population in the year 1900 was 3,437,202. The overall population in 2000 year was 8,009,185. The population in Manhattan in 1800 was 60,515, and the percentage was 76%. and the 1900 year of population was 1,850,093, and the percentage was 54%. and the 200 year of population was 1,538,096, and the percentage was 19%. Between 1800 and 1900, New York City's population rose considerably. Manhattan remained one of the main population centers, while Brooklyn also experienced substantial growth. In contrast, the other three districts had relatively small populations.
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 trends and provides some data points from the tables. However, the analysis is inconsistent. While you identify the overall growth, the data reporting is fragmented and lacks a clear comparison between the districts. For instance, you mention the population of Manhattan in 1800 and 1900 but fail to provide a comprehensive overview of the other districts' growth patterns, which are essential for a full summary. The data provided for the year 2000 is also slightly inaccurate based on the provided tables (e.g., Manhattan's population). To improve, ensure you group data logically rather than listing isolated figures, and focus on the most significant changes across all five districts.
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 mechanical and sometimes repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'and the' or 'the population of'. The transition between the overview and the body paragraphs is abrupt. While there is a logical attempt to sequence information, the flow is hindered by awkward phrasing and a lack of varied linking words. To improve, use a wider range of cohesive devices like 'consequently', 'in contrast', or 'furthermore' to connect your ideas more fluidly and improve the overall progression of your argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. You rely on basic terms like 'increased' and 'growth' repeatedly. There are also some errors in word choice and phrasing, such as 'exhibit convert' instead of 'show changes' and '1800 year' instead of 'the year 1800'. These errors do not prevent understanding, but they limit the score. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to data trends, such as 'surged', 'fluctuated', or 'remained stable', and ensure you use nouns and verbs in their correct collocations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Issues include incorrect article usage ('the 1900 year of population'), subject-verb agreement errors, and awkward sentence construction ('the population of New York City for all five districts in 1800 year are population 79,216'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of periods and capitalization. While the meaning is generally clear, these persistent errors in basic grammar and sentence structure prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and correct preposition usage.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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