Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-15
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 demonstrates the transformation in the population of New York City between 1800 and 2000. The second and third tables illustrate the revolution in the population of the five districts of the state over the same period.
Overall, the population of New York City has gradually increased by 100 times over the two centuries. In the nineteenth century, the proportion of the total population of Manhattan was one-third of the total population. Meanwhile, in the twenty-first century, the population of other districts accounted for just over 80 percent of the total population.
Firstly, in 1800, the population of all five districts of New York City was just below 80000, which has increased to nearly 3.5 million in just 1 century. In 2000, it had increased to more than 8 million.
Secondly, in 1800, Manhattan had the largest proportion of the total population, which gradually decreased to 19 percent in 2000. Consequently, other districts' population was just one-fourth of the total population of New York, which had increased to 46 percent in 1900, and more than 80 percent in 2000 of the total population of New York.
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 student covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the overall population and the district breakdown over the two-century period. An overview is present, noting the overall population growth and the shift in proportions between Manhattan and the other districts. However, there are some data inaccuracies: the student states that in 1800 the population of all five districts was 'just below 80000, which has increased to nearly 3.5 million in just 1 century', which is numerically correct, but the overview incorrectly claims the population 'gradually increased by 100 times' (79,216 multiplied by 100 is over 7.9 million, whereas the 2000 figure is 8 million, meaning the 100x increase actually happened over two centuries, not one). Furthermore, the statement 'in the nineteenth century, the proportion of the total population of Manhattan was one-third' misreads the data, as Manhattan was 76% in 1800 and 54% in 1900. Overall, the response addresses the task adequately but contains minor inaccuracies in data interpretation.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is structured with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs. Logical progression is generally maintained through the use of sequencing markers such as 'Firstly' and 'Secondly'. However, cohesion within and between sentences can be mechanical or slightly awkward, such as the transition 'Consequently, other districts' population was just one-fourth...', which does not logically follow as a consequence of Manhattan's decrease. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overall trends from the specific numerical details, but referencing and logical links could be smoother.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common items such as 'transformation', 'revolution', 'proportion', and 'accounted for'. However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice and phrasing; for instance, describing the population change as a 'revolution' is inappropriate for statistical data, and 'the five districts of the state' is inaccurate since New York City spans multiple counties/districts within New York State. Spelling is generally accurate, but some collocations and lexical choices lack precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and comparative forms ('which has increased to nearly 3.5 million', 'had the largest proportion... which gradually decreased'). There is good control over basic verb tenses, though some tense shifts are slightly imprecise when moving between historical facts and completed timeframes. Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while minor grammatical awkwardness exists, errors do not impede communication.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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