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 rendered table illustrate the information about the population of new york city from 1800 to 2000.as well as other table elucidates the information about the five districts of the city over the same period.the data is calibrated in the thousands and the percentage.
After taking the statistical data into account, it may infer that the highest count of population of the 2000 which was noticed as 8,009,185,followed by the unit of population during 1900 recorded as 3,437,202. however, only 79,216 population in 1800 year in given time period.
Turning towards the rest of details, it can be clearly seen that in Manhattan district, 76%,54% and 19% of total population were indulged in 1800,1900 and 2000 respectively. Furthermore , more than five tenth of population had included during 1800 year. In addition to this, half diffrence of 40% had been observed in 1900 and 2000.
Overall, it is readily apparent that the maximum population had observed in 2000 Whereas, least population indulged in 1800 during all years.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the data, such as the overall population growth and the shift in district percentages. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. The description of the district data is confusing, particularly the attempt to describe the percentages for Manhattan, which lacks clarity and precision. The comparison between the years is present but could be more effectively highlighted. To improve, ensure that all data points are accurately interpreted and that the relationship between the total population and the specific district figures is explained more logically to provide a more comprehensive overview of the trends.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the flow of ideas is often disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'in addition to this' and 'furthermore'. There are also issues with punctuation, such as missing spaces after commas and periods, which disrupts the reading flow. The logical progression between sentences is occasionally weak, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison of the data points clearly. Improving the variety and accuracy of linking words would significantly enhance the coherence of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The range of vocabulary is limited and somewhat repetitive. There are several instances of awkward word choices, such as 'the rendered table illustrate' (should be 'illustrates'), 'indulged in' (which is used incorrectly to describe population distribution), and 'half diffrence of 40%'. These errors occasionally impede the clarity of the information. While the student attempts to use some academic vocabulary, the lack of precision in collocation and word choice prevents a higher score. Focusing on using more precise terminology for data description, such as 'accounted for', 'constituted', or 'fluctuated', would be beneficial.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'table illustrate'), incorrect verb forms ('it may infer' instead of 'it may be inferred'), and missing articles. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with several run-on sentences and missing spaces after punctuation marks. While the meaning is generally understandable, these persistent errors demonstrate a lack of control over complex structures. To improve, the student should focus on basic sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, and consistent punctuation to ensure the writing is more accurate and professional.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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