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 given tables illustrate the changes in the total population of all the districts of New York City ( Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) from 1800 to 2000.
Overall, Manhattan is the most populated city of New York City. In 1800, the total population of Manhattan was about 76% however in other districts population were about 24% and the total population of New York City was 79,216. The Manhattan population was five times more than other districts. In 1900, the Manhattan's population was 54% but in other districts population were about 46%. In contrast, the population almost equal. The total population of New York City was round about 3,437,202. In 2000, the population of Manhattan was less than other districts. And the total population of New York City was round about 8,009,185. In 2000, the population in other districts was 80% more than Manhattan.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While you have identified the main trends, the analysis is somewhat superficial. You have grouped the other four districts together, which is a valid strategy, but you have not provided enough detail or comparison between the specific districts to fully address the task. The data points provided are sometimes inaccurate or confusingly phrased, such as stating 'the population almost equal' in 1900 without clear context. To improve, ensure you cover all parts of the prompt and provide a more thorough analysis of the data provided in the tables.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into an introduction and a body paragraph, but it lacks a clear structure. The progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical, and the use of cohesive devices is limited. For example, the transition between the 1800 and 1900 data is abrupt. While the overall message is understandable, the lack of paragraphing for different time periods or trends makes the text feel disjointed. Using a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'subsequently', 'in contrast to', 'meanwhile') would help improve the flow and logical connection between your sentences.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. You rely on repetitive phrasing, such as 'the total population of New York City was round about'. Phrases like 'round about' are too informal for an Academic Task 1 report. You should aim for more precise academic vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'experienced a significant increase', or 'accounted for'. Expanding your range of synonyms and avoiding repetitive sentence starters will significantly improve your lexical score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are several grammatical errors throughout the text that occasionally impede clarity. For instance, 'Manhattan is the most populated city of New York City' is factually and grammatically awkward, as Manhattan is a district, not a city. You also have issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'in other districts population were about 24%'. The sentence structures are mostly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. To improve, focus on using a mix of complex structures and proofreading for basic errors in articles, plurals, and verb tense consistency.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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