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 given tables illustrate changes in New York City population from 1800 to 2000. Tables also show distribution of population between Manhattan and four other districts (Brooklyn,Bronx,Queens, and Staten Island) of an American city.
Overall. New York population rose dramatically over the given period ,while Manhattan had a significant share at the start of period but saw a continuous decline ,Althoughits population incressed first.On the other hand other districts became dominant at the end of the period.
In 1800, total population of the New York was 79,216and Manhattan was having 76%of the total share with 60,515 residents.In contrast other four districts accounted for 24%of the total population and had 18,701 residents.
Over the next two centuries, New York population increased dramatically with 3,437,707 and 8,009,185 respectively .However, Manhattan population share saw a considerable decrease with 19% of the total population in 2000. Manhattan population decreased from 1,850,093 to 1,538,096 during the last two decades.On the other hand other four districts saw a gradual increase from 46% to 81% of the total share. In 2000 other districts had 6,471,087 residents.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response successfully covers all main features of the prompt by summarizing changes in the total population of New York City and comparing Manhattan with the other four districts from 1800 to 2000. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the dramatic overall growth alongside the shift in dominance from Manhattan to the other districts. Key data points, such as the initial 76% share for Manhattan in 1800 and the final 81% share for the other districts in 2000, are selected and reported effectively. Although there are some minor numerical phrasing gaps regarding intermediate years, the response fully addresses the requirements of an Academic Task 1 summary, earning a Band 6.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The text is organized into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by an overall summary, and then specific data points in the body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In 1800', 'In contrast', 'Over the next two centuries', and 'On the other hand' are employed to guide the reader through the data. However, paragraphing and punctuation mechanics show some faults, particularly with missing spaces after punctuation marks (e.g., '79,216and', '60,515 residents.In') and a fragmented sentence structure in the overview. Progression is evident, but referencing and cohesion are occasionally mechanical, aligning this with a Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing statistical data and trends, including terms like 'dramatic', 'continuous decline', 'dominant', 'proportion', and 'gradual increase'. However, there are noticeable lexical and collocation limitations, such as 'incressed' (spelling error) and phrasing like 'Manhattan was having 76% of the total share' rather than more natural academic alternatives. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main trends and data comparisons clearly, recurring spelling mistakes and awkward word choices prevent it from reaching a higher band, placing it at a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses and introductory prepositional phrases. However, grammatical control is inconsistent. There are several punctuation and spacing errors throughout the text (e.g., missing spaces after commas and periods), and minor structural awkwardness such as 'Althoughits population incressed first.On the other hand other districts...'. Additionally, there are run-on elements and missing articles. These errors do not impede overall communication, but they occur frequently enough to restrict the score to a Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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