Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-19
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 tables illustrate the changes in the total number of people in five districts of New York City during two centuries. (1800 to 2000)
Overall, the population dramatically increases in all five districts. In four districts, (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island) the percentage of number of people rose almost double from 1800 to 2000. In contrast, Manhattan populaion drops in the same period.
In all five districts, population grows substantially in each century. In 1800, total population accounted for just 79,216 which climbed up to 8o lakhs in 2000.
Number of people in Manhattan district, are consistently fall in each century. Commencing from highest percentage of 76% in 1800 to droping 54% and 19% in 1900 and 2000 respectively.
While other four districts recorded a significant growth. In 1800, four districts contribute only 24% of total population. Figures jumped to almost double in 1900 and 2000. Recording 46% and 81% respectively.
In summary, four districts of New York City have recorded a exceptional growth in percentage while the fifth district (Manhattan) proportion decreases with the time passes.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student covers the main features of the data well, noting the overall population growth and the contrast between Manhattan and the other four districts. An overview is present, and key figures (such as the 1800 and 2000 totals and percentages) are accurately reported. However, some data points are inaccurate or phrased strangely; for instance, the student states that the percentage of people in the four districts 'rose almost double' or 'contribute only 24%... figures jumped to almost double in 1900 and 2000, recording 46% and 81%', which contains mathematical and conceptual inaccuracies regarding percentages summing to 100%. Furthermore, '8o lakhs' is an inappropriate regional translation unit (lakhs) for an international IELTS exam. The response addresses the task adequately, but these inaccuracies in data reporting prevent it from reaching Band 7.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, body paragraphs dealing with specific data comparisons, and a summary. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as 'In contrast', 'While other four districts', and 'In summary'. However, referencing and cohesion are sometimes faulty or mechanical. For example, starting sentences abruptly with 'Number of people in Manhattan district, are consistently fall in each century' disrupts the logical flow. Paragraphing is present and generally appropriate, but the division of sentences and phrasing can be clumsy, placing the essay firmly at Band 6.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, attempting some less common vocabulary such as 'substantially', 'proportion', and 'exceptional growth'. However, there are notable word-choice errors, inappropriate collocations, and non-standard terminology. For instance, the phrase 'percentage of number of people rose almost double', 'Manhattan populaion drops', 'are consistently fall', and the use of the Indian English term '8o lakhs' instead of standard millions or thousands detract from the lexical score. Spelling errors like 'populaion' and 'droping' also occur, limiting the score to Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but control over grammar is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, such as tense and verb form issues ('population dramatically increases', 'Manhattan populaion drops', 'are consistently fall', 'proportion decreases with the time passes'), as well as sentence fragments or punctuation errors ('During two centuries. (1800 to 2000)', 'In four districts, (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island) the percentage...'). These errors frequently cause difficulty for the reader and reflect a limited grasp of accurate complex structures, aligning with Band 5.0 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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