Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-17
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 illustrates the population changes of New york city and its five districts manhattan, Brooklyn, , Bronx, Queens, staten Island between 1800 and 2000.
Overall, the population of new york city grew enormousy in the period of 200 year. In 1800 the total population of new york city is 79,216 At this time the population of manhattan is 60,515 which is the 76% of total population of city. While the other districts had only 18,701 inhabitants, or 24% of population.
But in 1900 the population of manhattan grew up to 1,850,093 but the proportion fell to 54%. the population of other districts increases dramatically and 24% of toatal population.
In 2000 The population of other districts is 6,471,089 which is the 81% of the total population of new york city. On the other hand the population of manhattan decreases to 1,538,096 which is the 19% of total population.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student covers the main features of the data provided, including the overall population growth and the shifting proportions between Manhattan and the other districts between 1800 and 2000. Key figures from the stimulus are cited, such as the initial 79,216 total population and the 2000 breakdown. However, there are some minor omissions and inaccuracies in reporting the data for 1900 (e.g., stating '24% of total population' incorrectly for the other districts in that year, when the table states 46%). Furthermore, the response is slightly under the 150-word minimum, which restricts the depth of development. Consequently, it achieves a band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The text is structured into four paragraphs, including a brief introduction and an overall summary statement. However, paragraphing and logical progression are hindered by short, choppy sentences and poor formatting (such as repetitive spacing and punctuation errors in the opening list). Cohesive devices are used minimally and repetitively (e.g., 'While', 'But', 'In 2000'), leading to a somewhat mechanical flow. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the overall arrangement lacks sophisticated transitional phrases to guide the reader smoothly through the temporal changes. This aligns with the band 5.0 descriptors.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student uses a limited but minimally adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing terms like 'population', 'districts', 'proportion', and 'inhabitants'. However, there are noticeable spelling and capitalization errors throughout ('new york city', 'enormousy', 'manhattan'), as well as awkward phrasing such as 'grew up to' instead of 'rose to'. Less common lexical items are largely absent, and word choices occasionally strain precision. These factors place the response firmly in the band 5.0 range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay displays a limited range of sentence structures, relying primarily on simple sentences and basic subject-verb-object constructions. Attempts at complex sentences are basic and often marred by punctuation or tense inconsistencies (e.g., 'In 1800 the total population of new york city is 79,216'). Frequent errors in capitalization, missing commas, and article usage cause some distraction, although meaning is generally retrievable. The control of grammar is inconsistent, warranting a band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.