Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-14
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 table presents a comparison of population across five districts in New York city, with the figures given in percentage over the period from 1800 to 2000.
What stands out from the data is the contrasting pattern between Manhattan and other districts, with the former lowest population in 1800 and the latter highest poeple in 2000.
At the beginning of the period, Manhatten accounted for 60,515 number of people, compared with 18,701 for other districts. Over the following year, the figure for Manhatten rose drastically, reaching 1,850,093 by 1900. A similar opposing movement can be seen in other districts. By 2000, Manhatten had fallen below of Brooklyn, Bromx, Queens and Staten Island.
The remaining figures reveal a somewhat diffrent picture. Year 1900 decreased, moving from 54% to 45%. In contrast, year 2000 Experienced a substantial increase, before reaching at 81%. By the end of the 2000 total population was highest, while Manhattend recorded the 19% of total population.
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 response attempts to summarise the data, identifying some key trends such as the contrasting population patterns between Manhattan and the other districts. However, there are significant inaccuracies in reporting the data and data types. The student states that figures are given in percentage, whereas the tables show absolute population numbers as well as percentages. Furthermore, some of the data points are factually inaccurate according to the source tables, such as stating Manhattan fell below the other districts by 2000 (when Manhattan actually remained higher than several individual districts or followed a different trajectory depending on the specific table). The overview is vague and contains confusing numerical references. Consequently, the task is addressed only partially, warranting a Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is structured into four short paragraphs, representing an introduction, an overview/body paragraph, and subsequent detail paragraphs. However, the logical progression is frequently disrupted by unclear referencing and confusing sentences, such as 'Year 1900 decreased, moving from 54% to 45%.' Cohesive devices are used minimally and sometimes inappropriately (e.g., 'At the beginning of the period', 'In contrast'), failing to connect the information smoothly. Paragraphing is attempted, but overall organisation lacks clear progression and control, leading to a Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with noticeable errors in word choice and spelling, such as 'poeple', 'Manhatten', 'Bromx', 'diffrent', and 'Manhattend'. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary like 'contrasting pattern' and 'substantial increase', but these are undermined by severe inaccuracies in basic terminology and spelling. While communication is still possible, the lexical limitations and recurring errors place this performance firmly at Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and attempted complex sentence forms. However, grammatical accuracy is low, with frequent errors including awkward phrasing, missing prepositions, and incorrect verb patterns (e.g., 'reaching at 81%', 'fallen below of Brooklyn', 'the former lowest population'). Punctuation is basic. Because errors are frequent and occasionally cause difficulty for the reader in interpreting the intended meaning, this meets the criteria for Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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