Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-08
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 illustrate the total number of inhabitants of New York city from 1800 to 2000. the second table shows the population of Manhattan DISTRICT OVER THE FOLLOWING YEARS. THE THIRD TABLE DEMONSTRATES THE OTHER DISTRICT`S POPULATION OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
OVERALL , THE POPULATION OF NEW YORK CITY INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY FROM 1800 TO 2000 IN FIRST AND THIRD TABLE WHEREAS THE POPULATION IN MANHATTAN DECREASE DRAMATICALLY OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
THE POPULATION OF NEW YORK CITY WAS 79,216 IN THE YEAR 1800 WHICH FURTHER ROSE AND REACHED 8,009,185 IN 2000. THE PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL POPULATION IN THE YEAR 1800 WAS 76% IN MANHATTAN WAS MUCH HIGHER THAN OTHER DISTRICTS IN THE SAME YEAR WAS 24%. THE OTHER DISTRICTS ACHIEVED ITS HIGHEST NUMBER OF POPULATION IN THE YEAR 2000 WAS
6,471,089.
THE MANHATTAN GAINED ITS LOWEST PERCENTAGE IN THE YEAR 2000 WAS 1,538,096. MOREOVER , IN 1900, ITS PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL POPULATION WAS 54%. WHEREAS IN THE SAME YEAR, THE PERCENTAGE WAS 46% IN OTHER DISTRICTS.
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 data, such as the overall population growth and the shift in distribution between Manhattan and the other districts. However, there are significant inaccuracies in the interpretation of the data. For instance, you describe the population of Manhattan as having 'decreased dramatically,' whereas the table shows an increase from 60,515 to 1,538,096. Additionally, you confuse percentages with raw numbers, stating that the 'percentage' in 2000 was 1,538,096. This misinterpretation of the data significantly impacts the clarity and accuracy of your report, preventing a higher band score.
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 somewhat mechanical and occasionally inaccurate. For example, the transition 'in first and third table' is grammatically awkward and lacks proper referencing. The progression of ideas is sometimes hindered by the confusing presentation of data, making it difficult to follow the comparison between the districts. While there is an attempt at an overview, the logical flow between the sentences needs improvement to ensure a smoother reading experience.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. You rely on basic terms like 'increased' and 'number of population.' There are also errors in word choice, such as using 'percentage' when referring to raw population figures. The repetition of 'table' and 'district' suggests a limited range. To improve, you should focus on using more varied reporting verbs and nouns related to data trends, such as 'surged,' 'proportion,' or 'demographic shift,' while ensuring these terms are used accurately in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Issues include incorrect subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the first table illustrate'), missing articles, and awkward phrasing (e.g., 'the other district`s population'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary capitalization and misuse of commas. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors is noticeable and occasionally distracts from the content. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for subject-verb agreement would significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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