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 first table, indicates the population changes happened in all five districts of New York from 1800 to 2000. In year 1800, the population of New York was reported to be 79,216, it spiked up to 3437,202 in year 1900 and it further increased upto 8,009,185 by 2000. Population growth keep spurting every century with significant numbes. When we further disects the data provided in table 2 and 3 we see the percenatge of population growth per century in respective districts of new york city. As per table 2 which provided a chart of population growth along with it's percentage in manhattan, it shows that this district has the growing number of population compartively. By 1800 the population growth was 76% which was increased by 54% in year 1900 but we can see a significant decline of 19% of population in year 2000. Table 3 shows population growth of other districts like Broklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island, in year 1800 population increased by 24%, in year 1900 by 46% and in year 2000 by 81%.
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 all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the overall population and the district breakdown over the given years. The overall population figures for 1800, 1900, and 2000 are correctly cited, and comparisons are made between Manhattan and the other districts. However, there are minor misinterpretations of the percentage data; for instance, stating that the percentage 'was increased by 54% in year 1900' misreads the data, which actually shows Manhattan made up 54% of the total population in 1900, not an increase of 54%. Similarly, the percentages are incorrectly referred to as 'population growth' rates rather than proportions of the total. Consequently, while the response presents a clear overview and relevant data, the misreading of statistical percentages prevents it from achieving a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response demonstrates a basic logical progression, moving from the general population table to the specific district tables. However, the text suffers from a major structural flaw: it is written as a single dense paragraph, lacking appropriate paragraphing. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or repetitively, such as 'When we further disects the data provided in table 2 and 3 we see...', which makes the flow mechanical. Referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly regarding how the percentages relate to the overall totals. While information is presented in a discernible order, the complete absence of paragraph breaks and the limited control over cohesive devices place this section firmly at Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student attempts a range of vocabulary appropriate to Task 1, including terms such as 'population growth', 'significant decline', and 'respective districts'. However, there are numerous lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'happened' instead of 'occurring', 'spiked up', and 'keep spurting' (likely a typo for sprouting or spurring). Spelling errors are also present, notably 'disects' instead of 'dissects', 'percenatge' instead of 'percentage', 'compartively' instead of comparatively, and 'Broklyn' instead of Brooklyn. The misuse of technical terms, such as confusing percentage shares with growth rates, further limits the lexical score. The range is adequate for the task, but errors in word choice and spelling occasionally impede clarity.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses and introductory prepositional phrases ('By 1800 the population growth was 76%...'). However, control over grammar and punctuation is inconsistent. There are several run-on sentences joined improperly with commas, such as 'In year 1800, the population of New York was reported to be 79,216, it spiked up to 3437,202...'. Punctuation errors are noticeable, including missing hyphens in numbers and faulty article usage ('In year 1800'). Verb tense consistency is occasionally flawed, and subject-verb agreement slips occur, as in 'table 2 which provided a chart'. While communication is not entirely obscured, the frequency of grammatical and punctuation errors restricts the score to Band 5.0.
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