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 given table chart illustrates the changes in the amount of population in the new york, while another two table charts gives data about the changes of population in their districts. At glance, the highest population recorded in the year of 2000.
To begin with, in 1800, the total population of the new york city is nearly 80000, in which 76% came from the manhattan and remaining population belongs from other districts(24%). In 1900, more than three times population arised compare to the year 1800, around 34 lakhs public, in which, manhattan consists 54% and other city constitutes 46% of population. In 2000, almost 80 lakhs population was marked, which was 1.5 times more than the year of 1900. In which 19% population came from the manhattan and remaining 81% public came from other cities.
Overall, the population growth arised with the period of time, it is notable that, in 1800, highest population came from manhattan district, however, it contains lowest population in the year 2000.
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 student attempts to address the task by reporting the main features of the population tables for New York City and its districts from 1800 to 2000. Key information, such as the overall growth and the shifting percentages of Manhattan versus other districts, is identified. However, there are significant inaccuracies in data reporting. For instance, the student states that the total population in 1800 was nearly 80,000 (when the table shows 79,216 for Manhattan alone and 96,373 overall) and refers to 34 lakhs public in 1900 (using Indian numbering conventions and mixing currencies or outdated terms rather than standard English millions). Furthermore, the overview is rather simplistic. This places the response at Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into three paragraphs with a basic introduction, body paragraph, and conclusion. While there is a discernible overall progression, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate, such as 'At glance', 'To begin with', and 'In which'. Referencing is frequently unclear, particularly with dangling clauses like 'In which 19% population came from the manhattan'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal logical links between sentences are weak. This corresponds to Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, relying on words like 'amount', 'table chart', and 'public'. There are noticeable errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'arised' instead of 'rose' or 'increased', 'belongs from', and the use of 'lakhs', which is inappropriate in standard international English academic writing. These lexical limitations and errors cause some difficulty for the reader, fitting the Band 5.0 descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but attempts at complex structures are frequently faulty, leading to ungrammatical fragments (e.g., 'in which 76% came from the manhattan and remaining population belongs from other districts'). Errors in tense, preposition usage, and subject-verb agreement are frequent (e.g., 'population... is nearly', 'population arised compare to'). Punctuation and capitalization (e.g., 'new york', 'manhattan') are also problematic. These issues place the grammar at 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.