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 provides the data on the changed in the otal population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. Including, the population of the five districts of the city Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island over the same period.
Overall, there is massive surge in the population of the city over the decades.
In the year 1800, the population of Manhattan was the 76% of total population of The New york city and the combined population of 4 districts was 24% which was about 18,701. After a decade, the population of Manhattan was slightly decreased to 54% which was 1,850,093 and the population of other districts were spike to 46% which was 1,587,109.
In the year 2000, it is observed that there is a sharp fall of 19% in the population of Manhattan which is 1,538,096 and the population of the districts such as Brooklyn,%
Bronx, Queens, Staten Island had high spike of 81% of total population of the New york city and the total population was 8,009,185.
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 cover the main features of the tables, including overall population trends and district breakdowns between 1800 and 2000. However, the student's interpretation of the data contains severe factual and mathematical inaccuracies. For instance, the text states that Manhattan's population in 1800 was 76% of the total, but then quotes figures that contradict the data provided in the prompt. Furthermore, data from different years are confused (e.g., attributing figures from later decades to the year 1800 or 1810). Consequently, while the prompt is partially addressed, the reporting of key features and data points is largely inaccurate and confusing. This performance aligns best with Band 5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response makes an attempt to organise information using basic introductory and summary paragraphs, but the overall progression is difficult to follow. Sentences such as 'Including, the population of the five districts...' are fragmented and disrupt the flow. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, and referencing is frequently unclear (e.g., unclear links between pronouns and data categories). Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal structure of the body paragraphs lacks logical cohesion, leading to a disjointed presentation of data. This corresponds to a Band 5 for Coherence and Cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student uses a limited and repetitive range of vocabulary, with noticeable errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'massive surge in the population', 'slightly decreased to 54% which was 1,850,093' (which is mathematically inconsistent with the real data and percentages), and 'had high spike'. There are also awkward phrasings like 'data on the changed in the otal population'. While the meaning can sometimes be guessed, the lexical limitations and inaccuracies cause friction for the reader. This performance sits firmly at Band 5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but grammatical control is weak. There are frequent basic errors, including fragments ('Including, the population...'), incorrect verb forms ('the population of other districts were spike'), and punctuation errors (such as an orphaned percentage sign in the final paragraph: 'Brooklyn,% Bronx'). Complex structures are often faulty and prone to error. Although communication of the general topic is maintained, the high frequency of grammatical mistakes places this response at Band 5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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