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 table illustrates total population of New York city from five dstricts of the city. Namely, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Broknx, Queens, and staten Island. It recorded the data of population from past three centuries, which is 1800, 1900 and the last 2000 year.
Overall the population of New York City increased significantly throughout the time period. Compared to all the districts, soley Manhattan had recorded decrease in total population percentage overall period. The other districts experienced very less population in those 2 centuries. In the last century of 2000, Brooklyn, Broknx, Queens, and staten Island population grew enormously, whereas Manhattan population dropped more than the half percentage.
The total highest population 76% experienced by Manhattan was 60,515 people in the 1800 century. The other districts experienced very high population, which is 6,471,089 in 2000 century and the total population at 81%.
The lowest total population figure recorded by Manhattan in the 2000 century with 19% and in 1800 cenury other districts recorded total population at 24%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to address the task by reporting data from the tables regarding the population of New York City and its districts across the years 1800, 1900, and 2000. However, the selection and reporting of data contain significant inaccuracies and confusion. For instance, the student states that Manhattan experienced a 'decrease in total population percentage overall period,' but Manhattan's population actually grew from 60,515 in 1800 to 1,538,096 in 2000, even though its percentage share of the total population decreased from 76% to 19%. Furthermore, the summary statements are confused, such as 'The total highest population 76% experienced by Manhattan was 60,515 people in the 1800 century.' These misinterpretations and inaccurate data handlings indicate only a partial coverage of the task requirements, restricting the score to Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs attempting to compare data points. However, the logical progression is hindered by confusing sentence structures and vague referencing. For example, expressions like 'Compared to all the districts, soley Manhattan had recorded decrease' and transitions between body paragraphs lack clear logical links. Cohesive devices are minimal or inaccurate, leading to a disjointed reading experience. Paragraphing is attempted, but internal cohesion within paragraphs is faulty, placing this response firmly in Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is limited and repetitive, with several spelling errors ('dstricts', 'Broknx', 'soley', 'cenury'). While the student attempts some task-related terms like 'population', 'percentage', and 'districts', word choice is often inaccurate or awkward, such as 'very less population' instead of 'a much smaller population' or 'population grew enormously'. The misuse of vocabulary causes some confusion and misrepresentation of the data. Because the range is limited and contains noticeable errors that impede clear communication of statistical trends, a Band 5.0 is appropriate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student uses a mix of simple and a few attempted complex sentence structures, but grammatical accuracy is weak throughout the text. There are frequent errors in verb tense usage, prepositions, and article placement, such as 'It recorded the data of population from past three centuries, which is 1800, 1900 and the last 2000 year' and 'The total highest population 76% experienced by Manhattan was 60,515 people in the 1800 century.' Punctuation is also problematic in places. These frequent errors cause difficulty for the reader and prevent the structures from being well-controlled, earning a band score of 5.0.
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