Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The first table illustrates changes in the total population of New York City between 1800 and 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 the19th century the overall population in the city was 79216. In the next hundred years, it changed and rose approximately 43 times and reached [redacted phone]. Also recorded as the biggest gap. In 2000, population was again increased, which was approximately [redacted phone].
Turning to the another tables.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; Meanwhile, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten, Island 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 | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the tables provided, successfully reporting the overall population growth of New York City and contrasting the trends across the five districts. The student notes the rapid increase in the city's total population from 1800 to 2000 and highlights Manhattan's initial dominance followed by a decline, alongside the upward trajectories of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. However, some specific data points contain inaccuracies or confusion—for instance, misinterpreting district statistics (such as confusing Brooklyn's data with overall figures or misquoting percentages and population numbers). While the main trends are addressed, the data presentation lacks complete precision and clarity in places, placing this response at Band 5.5 to 6.0. Awarding a Band 6.0 because the response successfully addresses all parts of the task with relevant, if occasionally imprecise, information.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay has a coherent overall arrangement and follows a logical four-paragraph structure comprising an introduction, overview of the first table, details of the districts, and a brief conclusion. Cohesive devices are employed, such as 'As can be seen', 'Turning to the another tables', and 'Overall'. However, cohesion is sometimes faulty or mechanical. For example, 'Turning to the another tables.In the Manhattan...' contains punctuation errors and awkward phrasing. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, such as the pronoun 'it' in the third paragraph becoming ambiguous when discussing multiple districts ('Meanwhile, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten, Island followed an upward trend. In the beginning year, it was near around...'). Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different tables and ideas, supporting an overall Band 6.0 score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms like 'illustrates', 'overall population', 'trend', 'residents', and 'escalated'. There are, however, noticeable lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'different five districts', 'biggest gap' (when referring to population growth), 'another tables', and 'the beginning year'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but prepositional and collocational errors ('in the Manhattan', 'near around') occur. The vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey the intended meaning, though it lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher bands. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 6 descriptor.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'As can be seen from the first table, in the 19th century the overall population in the city was 79216.' Grammatical accuracy is inconsistent, with frequent errors in punctuation, articles, and prepositions (e.g., missing spaces after periods like 'another tables.In', unnecessary articles like 'the Manhattan', and incorrect punctuation with lists like 'Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten, Island'). Despite these errors, the majority of simple sentences are understandable, and communication is rarely impeded. The student attempts complex structures, but control over them is limited by frequent minor errors, justifying a Band 5.5 score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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