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)
Overall, it is quite evident that the population of New York experienced growth at higher rate, whereas the population of Manhattan was increased at lower rates.
To begin, in year 1800 the population of New York was 79216 followed by Manhattan and other districts at 60515 and 18701 respectively. Moreover, the population of new York increased sharply at [redacted phone] in 1900. The population of Manhattan in 1900 was [redacted phone] which was 54% of total population. Moreover population of other districts were increased and reached [redacted phone] and was 46% of total population.
Moving towards the further details, the population of New York in the end of period in 200 reached at peak around [redacted phone] highest population recorded as compared with others. Whereas, population of Manhattan was decreased in 2000 at [redacted phone] almost 19% of the total population and was the lowest population among all. Furthermore, the population of other districts rose up and reached [redacted phone] which was 81% of the total population.
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, selecting and reporting key data points such as the initial and final populations for New York City and Manhattan, alongside the aggregated figures for other districts. The student attempts to make relevant comparisons, noting percentages such as '54% of total population' in 1900 and '19% of the total population' in 2000. However, there are some inaccuracies in reporting the data (e.g., stating 'in 200 reached at peak' with a truncated year) and the overview is somewhat simplistic. Overall, the response addresses the prompt adequately, earning a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response presents a coherent overall arrangement with a logical sequence of information moving from general introductory trends to specific year data (1800, 1900, 2000). Paragraphing is used to separate different sections of the task. However, cohesive devices are sometimes mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'Moreover' to start sentences. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the transition between ideas could be smoother. These factors place the response firmly in the Band 6.0 category for Coherence and Cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common items and numerical descriptions ('peak around', 'highest population recorded', 'proportion'). However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'experienced growth at higher rate' instead of 'at a higher rate', and 'population of Manhattan was decreased' instead of 'decreased'. Spelling and word-formation errors do not severely impede communication, but they restrict the lexical score to a Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with attempts at relative clauses and comparative structures. However, grammatical control is inconsistent. There are several structural and article errors throughout the text, such as missing articles ('in year 1800', 'at end of period'), incorrect prepositions ('in the end of period', 'in 200'), and awkward passive constructions ('population of Manhattan was increased at lower rates'). While these errors do not completely obscure the intended meaning, they occur frequently enough to prevent the grammar score from exceeding Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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