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)
The first table illustrates difference in the all over population of New York city from 1800 to 2000. The second and third one is show the differences in the population of the five districts of the city like manhattan , Brooklyn ,Bronx ,Queens ,Staten Island over the same period.
Firstly taking about all over city population in different years. Like in 1800 the population is 79,216. But after one year in 1900 the population is increasing substantially by 3,437,202. And finally in 2020 it;s number increased by double to previous number which is more than 8,000,000.
In 1800 from the total population there was 76% population was lived in Manhattan . It slightly decreased by 54% in 1900. Similarly in 2020 it;s also decreased by 1,538,096 population this time percentage was 19%.
On the other hand in other districts the population was only 24% in 1800 and after a year it was grow gradually by 46% in 1900. And finally in 2020 it remarkably gone high by 81% with the people of 6,471,089.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the tables, but there are significant inaccuracies in data interpretation. For example, the student states the population in 1900 was 'after one year' from 1800, which is a major misreading of the data. Additionally, the claim that the 2020 population 'doubled' from 1900 is mathematically incorrect based on the provided figures. While the response attempts to compare the districts, the lack of precision in reporting the data and the misinterpretation of the timeframes prevent it from reaching a higher band. The overview is weak and lacks a clear summary of the overall trends.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused, such as 'Firstly taking about' and 'Similarly in 2020 it;s also decreased'. The transition between the general population and the district breakdown is somewhat abrupt. While there is a logical progression from the total population to the specific districts, the referencing is occasionally unclear, and the flow is hindered by awkward phrasing and punctuation errors.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The range of vocabulary is limited and repetitive. The student relies on basic verbs like 'is increasing', 'is decreased', and 'gone high'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'all over population' instead of 'total population' and 'it;s number increased by double' which is imprecise. The spelling of 'Manhattan' is inconsistent (capitalization), and the phrasing 'with the people of 6,471,089' is unnatural. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic message but lacks the precision required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There is a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but these are often faulty, such as 'The second and third one is show' and '76% population was lived'. Punctuation is also problematic, with the misuse of semicolons (e.g., '2020 it;s') and inconsistent capitalization. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic sentence construction and verb tense usage limits the score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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