Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-12
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 table depicts the variation of New York city population over the years of [redacted phone], and it illustrates the fluctuation of population in various districts including (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island in the years of [redacted phone].
Overall, New York City population plummeted over the following years and remained highest in the year of 2000 likewise, other districts population also followed gradual increase. Manhattan population showed variation over the given time period. Manhattan population peaked at year of 1900 on the other hand; other districts population was at its maximum level in the year of 2000.
New York population started at 79,216 in the year of 1800 and reached the peak of 8,009,185 in the year of 2000. Likewise, Manhattan population was at 60,515 in year 1800 from where it inclined to 1,538,096 in year 2000. Other districts population were at 18,701 in year 1800 from where it inclined to 6,471,089 in year 2000.
Concurrently, Manhattan population increased by 76% of total population in year 1800 while, other districts population raised by 81% of total population in the year 2000, showing the maximum population in percentage.
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 addresses the main features of the tables by outlining the total population of New York City and general trends in the districts from 1800 to 2000. However, the student makes a critical factual inaccuracy in the overview and body paragraphs, incorrectly stating that the total population 'plummeted' when the data clearly shows a massive rise from around 79,000 to over 8 million. Furthermore, the handling of specific district data is somewhat generalised and lacks precise comparisons across all five boroughs. Because the fundamental trend of the main data is misstated, the overall task response is compromised, preventing the score from reaching the higher bands. It meets the requirements for a Band 5.0 as it touches upon the task requirements but contains significant inaccuracies in data interpretation.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is structured into an introduction, overview, and body paragraphs, providing a basic framework for an academic report. However, logical progression is hindered by contradictory statements, such as describing the population as plummeting while simultaneously citing figures that increase significantly. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as the misuse of 'likewise' and 'on the other hand' in the second paragraph. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of information lacks clarity, particularly in how individual districts are contrasted with the aggregate total. Overall, the organizational structure displays mechanical application of cohesive features, aligning closely with Band 5 descriptors.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally basic and repetitive, with frequent reliance on standard descriptive terms like 'population', 'variation', 'increase', and 'year'. There are noticeable lexical errors, most notably the misuse of 'plummeted' to describe a dramatic upward trend, which causes confusion for the reader. Other phrases, such as 'raised by 81%', demonstrate inaccurate word choice and a lack of precise collocation. While the student makes attempts at less common vocabulary, the frequent inaccuracies and limited control over precise numerical and trend-based terminology place this response firmly in the Band 5 category.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and introductory prepositional phrases (e.g., 'In the year of 1800 and reached the peak...'). However, grammatical control is weak, with frequent errors in prepositions (e.g., 'in year 1800' instead of 'in 1800'), tense consistency, and awkward phrasing. Punctuation errors are also present, such as incorrect semi-colon placement before 'other districts population was at its maximum'. Although meaning is occasionally retrievable, the high frequency of grammatical slips and faulty complex structures restricts the score to a Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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