Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-11
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 represents the variations in the sum of New York's population between 1800 and 2000, while the second and third one depicted the changes in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island having sam eyear of time.
Overall, the table on the top shows the highest population in the year 1900, while the second table for Manhattan represents the higher proportion of people in the year 100. Contray to it,the third table shows that the district contains the maximum number of people in the year 2000.
In Table 1, considering New York City in terms of all five districts, it has the maximum population in the ywear 1900, corresponding to 3,437,202, while the least population is observed in the year 1800, which is 79,216.
The second table shows that Manhattan has the maximum percentage of the total population in the year 1800 to be 60,515, while least percentage is measured as 19% for 1,538,096 by the year 2000.
On the other hand, other districts exhibited the highest population, corresponding to a higher percentage in the year 2000, at 81% of 6,471,089, while the lowest proportion was 24%, according to the least population of 18701 by the year 1800
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to summarize the data but fails to clearly distinguish between the three tables. The overview is confusing, particularly the reference to 'year 100' and the contradictory statements regarding population peaks. While the response identifies some key figures, the interpretation of the data is often inaccurate or poorly explained. For instance, the distinction between Manhattan and the 'other districts' is muddled, and the analysis of percentages is mathematically unclear. To improve, you must ensure that your overview highlights the most significant trends (e.g., the overall growth of NYC and the shift in population distribution) rather than listing isolated, sometimes incorrect, data points.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused, such as 'Contray to it' and 'On the other hand,' which do not effectively link the ideas. The referencing is also problematic; it is often unclear which table or data set is being discussed, making it difficult for the reader to follow the argument. The transition between the general population trends and the specific district data is abrupt. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring each paragraph has a clear, singular focus would significantly enhance the flow of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on basic terms like 'maximum,' 'least,' and 'table.' There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'sum of New York's population' instead of 'total population' and 'having sam eyear of time' which is awkward and contains a typo. The use of 'proportion' is sometimes confused with raw numbers. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use a wider range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated,' 'peaked,' 'accounted for,' and 'experienced a significant increase.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the second and third one depicted'), incorrect verb tenses, and awkward sentence structures. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after commas and periods. While you attempt some complex sentences, they are often poorly constructed, leading to confusion. Focus on mastering basic sentence structures before attempting more complex ones, and ensure you proofread for common errors like missing articles and incorrect prepositions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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