Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-18
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 Tables shows changes in total population of New York and other five district city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) in 300 years period ([redacted phone]).
Overall, New York city has the highest population for over 300 years with an estimate of 12 million people. For 3 decades New York is always has the highest pupolation. While Mannhattan is second roughly estimate of 2.9 million of residents, the sum population city of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island from 1800 to 1900 has the least population, but when year 2000 begin these four city increase its pupolation by 5 folds against the city of Mannhattan with 6.5 million of resident for four city and 1.5 million for Mannhattan.
The city of Mannhattan experience a has slightly decrease in total number of people in year 2000 with a 300 thousand difference compare to year 1900. The city of New York and the other four city never experince changes but an increase of population in three decades.
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 response covers the main features of the data, correctly identifying the total population growth of New York City and the shift in population distribution between Manhattan and the other four districts between 1800 and 2000. An overview is attempted, and key comparisons are made, such as Manhattan's initial dominance and subsequent decline in percentage terms compared to the rapid growth of the outer districts. However, there are some data inaccuracies and confusion regarding the scale and interpretation of figures, such as stating New York City's total population was 12 million and misinterpreting the combined population of the outer districts. These inaccuracies and somewhat imprecise data reporting place this work within Band 5.5 to 6.0; it is awarded a 5.5 due to the noticeable errors in reading and presenting the statistical information.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is divided into an introduction and two body paragraphs, attempting an overall logical arrangement. Progression is evident as the writer moves from total population and general trends to district-specific comparisons. However, the use of cohesive devices is frequently mechanical or faulty (e.g., 'For 3 decades New York is always has', 'While Mannhattan is second roughly estimate', 'when year 2000 begin'). Paragraphing is present, but internal cohesion within paragraphs suffers from awkward transitions and unclear referencing. Overall, the structure meets the requirements for Band 5.0 as the organization is discernible despite mechanical and inaccurate cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with frequent misspellings and imprecise word choices throughout the text. Examples include 'pupolation', 'Mannhattan', 'estimate' used where 'estimation' or 'estimated' is needed, and 'folds' used awkwardly in '5 folds'. While the student attempts some less common vocabulary related to data trends (e.g., 'increase', 'decrease', 'percentage'), errors in word formation and spelling are noticeable and sometimes cause confusion for the reader. This performance aligns closely with the Band 5 descriptor for lexical resource.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but control over grammar and punctuation is weak. There are frequent errors in verb tense, subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure, such as 'The Tables shows', 'New York is always has', 'the sum population city of Brooklyn... increase its pupolation', and 'The city of Mannhattan experience a has slightly decrease'. These frequent grammatical errors often cause difficulty for the reader and detract from the clarity of the comparisons. The accurate sentences are limited, placing the grammar performance firmly at 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.