Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-20
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 three table give the information about population of the all five districts of the city in the year 1800,1900 and 2000.
Overall, population in New York City in 2000 is almost 8,009,185 and other districts 6,471,089. The percentage of total population is almost in other districts 81 percent. Other districts include Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.
In the first table, the population of all five districts seventy nine thousands two hundred sixteen in the year of 1800 and in 1900, the populatioon is almost 3,437,202. Furthermore, seventy six percent of the total population in the year of 1800. This population is shown in the figure 60,515. Similarly, the same city' population is shown 1,850,093. The population is expressed in fifty four percent. In the second table, other districts is shown very low population as compared to Manhattan. Only 24% percent population is shown in the four districts except Manhattan.
In short, only 19 percent population is shown in Manhattan in 2000, whereas 81 percent of the population is shown in other four district. This is the great difference between Manhattan and other four districts.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to address all parts of the prompt by referencing the overall population and the district breakdown between Manhattan and the other four districts. However, the data presentation is confusing and contains several inaccuracies or poorly framed figures, such as stating 'population in New York City in 2000 is almost 8,009,185 and other districts 6,471,089' without clearly synthesising the trend over time. The overview is weak, merely listing isolated numbers rather than capturing the main structural shifts (e.g., Manhattan losing its population majority to the outer districts). The student covers the necessary data points to a limited degree, but the overall development and selection of main features fall short of Band 6 standards due to poor integration and superficial comparison.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The introduction is disjointed ('The three table give the information...'), and the body paragraphs lack clear thematic grouping. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or repetitively, such as 'In the first table...', 'Similarly...', and 'In the second table...'. Paragraphing is attempted, but because the ideas bounce between 1800, 1900, and 2000 without a clear chronological or comparative structure, the overall arrangement feels mechanical and difficult to follow, aligning closely with Band 5 descriptors.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is very basic and repetitive, relying heavily on words like 'population', 'districts', 'percent', and 'table'. There are noticeable word choice errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'seventy nine thousands two hundred sixteen' (written out awkwardly instead of using numerals or standard phrasing) and 'the same city' population'. While the student manages to communicate basic data points, the lexical range is narrow and inadequate for a higher band. Spelling errors like 'populatioon' also occur.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5
The essay displays a very limited range of grammatical structures. Most sentences are simple or attempt complex structures that are faulty or poorly constructed (e.g., 'Furthermore, seventy six percent of the total population in the year of 1800. This population is shown in the figure 60,515.'). Subject-verb agreement errors and missing verbs are frequent, such as 'The three table give' and 'other districts is shown very low population'. These errors frequently cause strain for the reader and prevent the text from achieving a higher score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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