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 first table illustrates changes in the total population of New York City between 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables present differences in the population of the different five districts of the city during the same time.
As can be seen from the first table, in 19th century the overall population in the city was 79216. After that, in hundred years it changed and rose approximately 43 times and reached [redacted phone]. Also recorded is the biggest gain. After the next century, in year 2000, population was again increased, which was approximately [redacted phone].
Compared to the another boroughs in the Manhattan. During the 1800 to 1900 population jumped from 60515 to [redacted phone]. Also it contributed three quarters in 1800. But in 2000 population and percentage of total both declined. In Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten, Island, they all followed an upward trend. In the beginning year it was near around a quarter of total population with 18701. But it grew rapidly. In 1900, the number of the residents were [redacted phone] population. In 2000, it increased 6 times and 81% of the total numbers.
Overall, The New York City population escalated, likewise in five district, except Manhattan.
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 address all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the total population tables and the district breakdowns. An overview is provided in the final paragraph. However, the data selection contains numerous inaccuracies and confusion regarding the figures. For example, the student states that the population in 1800 was 79,216, but misinterprets later figures and district contributions, such as claiming Brooklyn and other boroughs constituted 81% of the total numbers in 2000. Data handling is somewhat disjointed and lacks precision, placing this response in Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into four paragraphs, including an introduction and a concluding summary. However, the logical progression is frequently disrupted by unclear referencing and confusing comparisons, such as 'Compared to the another boroughs in the Manhattan.' Cohesive devices are used mechanically or inappropriately (e.g., 'Also recorded is the biggest gain' and 'In the beginning year it was near around a quarter'), making the flow disjointed. Paragraphing is attempted but internal cohesion within paragraphs requires improvement. These features align with a Band 5.0 descriptor.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, with frequent awkward word choices and phrasing, such as 'biggest gain', 'population was again increased', and 'the another boroughs'. There are noticeable inaccuracies in collocation and word formation (e.g., 'near around', 'in hundred years'). While the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey a basic topic, the limitations and errors cause some difficulty for the reader, fitting the Band 5.0 criteria.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response demonstrates a limited range of sentence structures, with frequent grammatical errors. Examples include preposition errors ('between 1800 to 2000'), missing articles ('in 19th century', 'in year 2000'), and faulty complex structures ('In Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten, Island, they all followed an upward trend'). Errors are frequent and occasionally cause confusion or difficulty for the reader, though basic meaning remains retrievable, which is characteristic of Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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