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 very first table shows the overall population of New York City across its five districts. The year 1800 shows that the population was about 79,216. The next year 1900 shows a drastic change in the population and its increased upto 3.437,202. With the next year, 2000 the population was about 8,009,185.
The second table demostrate the all five districs population seperately. In which, Mnhattan has population baout 60,515 as per the percentage of total 76% in 1800. In 1900, the population went upto 54% with the figures 1,850,093. In 2000, the poulation shows a downfall with the percentage of 19% as in figures 1,538,096.
The other districts Brooklyn, Bronx, Quens, Staten Island has the percentage of 24% of toatl population in 1800 with the figures of 18,701. In 1900, it has the percentage of 46% with the figures of 1,587,109. In 2000, it goes quite up with th 81% increase as the figures about 6,471,089.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the tables by outlining the total population growth of New York City and addressing changes within individual districts over the three given years (1800, 1900, and 2000). Key data points such as overall figures and percentage shifts are selected and reported. However, the selection is somewhat mechanical and limited in deep comparative analysis. For instance, the grouping of the other four districts together in the third paragraph oversimplifies the detailed data provided in the tables. Furthermore, some data citations contain inaccuracies or typographical errors (such as '3.437,202' and 'Mnhattan'). Despite these limitations, the response addresses all parts of the task sufficiently to earn a Band 5.5, as the main trends are identified and communicated.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is divided into paragraphs, each attempting to deal with a specific aspect of the data: overall population first, Manhattan second, and the remaining districts combined third. However, the logical progression is hindered by abrupt transitions and a somewhat confusing grouping strategy in the final paragraph. Cohesive devices are used minimally and sometimes inappropriately, such as 'With the next year, 2000' and 'In which, Mnhattan has population baout'. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the paragraphing structure lacks smooth cohesion between sections. While an overall arrangement exists, the mechanical nature of the links places this performance squarely in the Band 5.0 category.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for a basic summary of figures, featuring words like 'population', 'districts', 'percentage', 'figures', and 'downfall'. However, there is a noticeable lack of sophisticated or less common vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response. Frequent spelling and lexical errors impede clarity at times, including misspellings like 'demostrate', 'districs', 'Mnhattan', 'baout', 'Quens', 'toatl', and 'th'. Because the vocabulary is repetitive and contains errors that restrict flexibility and precision, the lexical resource is rated at Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The text displays a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying mostly on simple sentences with frequent attempts at introductory time markers. Complex structures are rare and often faulty in execution, such as in the sentence: 'In 2000, it goes quite up with th 81% increase as the figures about 6,471,089.' There are frequent errors in verb tense consistency, prepositions, articles, and punctuation throughout the text (e.g., 'The year 1800 shows that...', 'the population went upto 54%', 'has the percentage of 24% of toatl population'). These frequent errors can cause occasional difficulty for the reader, aligning the grammar with Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.