Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-13
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 5.5)
The tables present changes in overall population in New York and across five districts Manhattan, Brooklin, Bronx, Queens ans Staten Island in three centuries ranging from 1800 to 2000.
Overall, the population of New York altogether experienced a substantial increase till 2000. The percentage of population of Manhattan showed marked decline. However, other four states experienced upward trajectory in terms of population.
In 1800 New yorks overall population remained 79,216 but it significantly increased till 2000 by three folds.
The people residing in Manhattan reduced considerably where total population sharply dropped from 76 percent in 1800 to 19 percent in 2000.
Comparatively, other four districts showed enormous increase in population. The year 1800 shows 24 percent which surged to 81 percent in 2000.
The people residing in New York showed an upward trends as the population increased over three centuries starting from 1800 to 2000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the tables, noting the overall population growth in New York and the major shift in distribution between Manhattan and the other four districts. Key data points, such as the initial 1800 population and the percentage changes in Manhattan, are correctly cited. However, there is a minor misspelling of district names ('Brooklin', 'ans') and some slight generalisation in data reporting. Furthermore, the task instructions stipulate a minimum of 150 words, but this response contains only 145 words. Consequently, a penalty must be applied to Task Achievement for failing to meet the minimum word count requirement, placing this criterion at a Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized with a logical overall structure, beginning with a clear introductory paraphrase, followed by an overview paragraph, and then body paragraphs detailing specific data points. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as 'Overall', 'However', and 'Comparatively'. However, the paragraphing and linking feel slightly mechanical and repetitive at times. For instance, the final concluding sentence largely reiterates the opening overview without adding new perspective or robust summarising synthesis. Referencing is generally clear, but the lack of smooth transitions between certain sentences slightly disrupts the overall flow. Overall, the organizational framework meets the requirements for Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task, attempting terms such as 'substantial increase', 'upward trajectory', 'dropped considerably', and 'surged'. However, there are notable spelling errors ('Brooklin' instead of Brooklyn, 'ans' instead of and, 'New yorks') and some awkward phrasing such as 'New Yorks overall population remained 79,216' where 'stood at' would be more natural. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the general meaning and attempts less common lexical items, the inaccuracies in word choice and spelling prevent the response from achieving a higher band score, resulting in a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and time-frame modifiers effectively (e.g., 'The tables present changes in overall population... in three centuries ranging from 1800 to 2000'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward constructions, such as omitting the preposition in 'increased till 2000 by three folds' (should be 'increased threefold') and the missing apostrophe in 'New yorks'. Despite these errors, the majority of the simple sentences are accurate, and the grammatical attempts do not seriously impede communication, fitting the Band 6.0 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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