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 representation depicts changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. While the second table indicates the changes in the population of five districts of different cities throughout the same period.
Overall, the first table indicated fluctuations in the total population of New York city from 1800 to 2000. On the other hand, second and third table describe the changes in the residents of five different districts of city over the same time.
On the one hand, in year 1800 the net residents of New York city were 79,216. That showed a considerably amount of growth over the next centuries. Like, in year 1900 and 2000 the net population were 3,437,202 and 8,009,185 respectively.
In comparison, the second table describes the population of a district known as Manhattan. This district showed a massive amount of growth compare to other four districts. In year 1800,1900,2000 the total population percentage was 76%, 54%, and 19% respectively.
Lastly, the net amount of citizens for remaining districts showed a significant growth in year 2000 with holding a population of approximately 6.47 million people. Whereas, in year 1800 and 1900 it showed a growth woth percentage of 24 % and 46% respectively.
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 addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the total population of New York City and comparing Manhattan with the other districts over the three given years. Key data points such as the 1800, 1900, and 2000 populations and percentages are accurately cited. However, the overview lacks clarity as it merely restates the prompt rather than synthesizing the overarching trends, such as the massive overall population growth and the dramatic demographic shift away from Manhattan toward the other districts. Nevertheless, the selection of data is generally accurate and supports the task requirements, placing the response solidly at Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into distinct paragraphs, including an introduction, overview, and body paragraphs focusing on different data sets. Logical transitions and cohesive devices are attempted, such as 'On the one hand', 'In comparison', and 'Lastly'. However, some of these cohesive phrases are used inappropriately (e.g., 'On the one hand' is not paired with a balanced 'On the other hand' argument). Furthermore, referencing is occasionally repetitive and mechanical. Paragraphing is present, but overall progression could be smoother. This level of organization and cohesive control aligns with a Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student attempts a range of vocabulary relevant to data reporting, including 'fluctuations', 'percentage', 'growth', and 'residents'. However, there are several lexical errors and awkward collocations throughout the text, such as 'a considerably amount of growth' (instead of considerable amount), 'net residents' (instead of total population), and 'woth percentage' (typographical and collocation error). Less common vocabulary items are attempted but lack precision. While communication is not impeded, the frequent word-choice and form errors cap the lexical score at a Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as introductory dependent clauses ('While the second table indicates...'). However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several noticeable errors, including subject-verb agreement issues (e.g., 'the first table indicated' mixed with present tense verbs, 'the net population were'), awkward phrasing (e.g., 'with holding a population'), and punctuation slips. While these errors do not completely obscure meaning, they occur frequently enough to prevent the response from achieving a Band 6.0, making Band 5.5 a more accurate reflection of grammatical control.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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