Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The first table illustrates the information about total population of new york city between 1800 and 2000, and how population changed during these years. The second and third tables give information about the population changes in five districts of new york city.
Overall, it can be seen that the total population of new york increased with time. The population in Manhattan showed decreasing trend in contrast, the popultaion of other distrists showed inreasing trend.
Turning to the first table the population of new york was 79,216 in 1800. It then increased to 3,437,202 in 1900 and further increased to 8,009,185 in 2000. The total population of Manhattan district was 60,515 accounted for 76% of total new york population in 1800. In 1900 the population decreased significantly to 1,850,093. There was dramatic decline in population in 2000 represented only 19% of the total new york population.
The population in other district was 18,701 in 1800 made 24% of the new york population. In 1900 the figure increased to 1,587,109. The population increased dramatically to 6,471,089 constitutes 81% of the total new york population.
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 student makes a good attempt to summarize the main trends from the tables, noting the overall increase in total population alongside the contrasting trends between Manhattan and other districts. Key data points are selected and reported, such as the initial and final figures for New York City and Manhattan. However, the response falls short in terms of thoroughness and completeness. Specifically, the student groups all other districts together as 'other district' rather than breaking them down into Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island as presented in the source data. Furthermore, comparisons across the five distinct regions are underdeveloped. This places the response comfortably at Band 5.5, as it addresses the task and highlights main trends, but omits key details and fails to report fully on all parts of the visual information provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing specific data. There is a basic logical flow and recognizable progression as the student moves from general trends to specific figures. However, cohesion is frequently faulty and mechanical. The student relies on repetitive transitional phrases such as 'It then increased to' and 'In 1900 the figure increased to'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of information is somewhat disorganized, particularly in how data from multiple tables is combined. Reference markers and cohesive devices are inadequate or overused, leading to a choppy reading experience. These limitations are characteristic of a Band 5 response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally basic and repetitive, with frequent reliance on simple verbs like 'increase', 'decreased', and 'accounted for'. There are noticeable spelling and capitalization errors throughout the text, such as 'new york', 'distrists', and 'popultaion'. While the student attempts some less common vocabulary and mathematical reporting ('decreased significantly', 'dramatic decline', 'constitutes'), the range remains limited and minimally adequate for the task. Errors in word choice and spelling do not entirely impede communication, but they cause some difficulty for the reader and prevent the response from achieving a higher band. Overall, the lexical control aligns well with Band 5.0 descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student demonstrates a mix of simple sentence forms and attempted complex structures, though attempts at complexity are often faulty. Examples of grammatical errors include missing articles ('total population of new york'), faulty subject-verb agreement or participle forms ('district was 60,515 accounted for', 'district was 18,701 made 24%'), and punctuation slips. Run-on structures and missing connectors are also present, such as in the sentence 'The total population of Manhattan district was 60,515 accounted for 76% of total new york population in 1800.' Frequent errors in grammar and clause construction can cause some difficulty for the reader, placing this performance at a Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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