Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-23
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 shows changes in the total Public of new york city between 1800 to 2000, while the second and third tables are show changes in the population if five various districts of the city such as Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island over the same period. Overall. it can be clearly seen that population in New York city increased every years and in Manhattan population decline of every years. Whereas, in Other districts same trend for New York city.
First of all, in New York city, population accounted for 79,216 in 1800s, while in 1900s and 2000 the figures were approximately [redacted phone] and [redacted phone] respectively. Secondly, in Manhattan, the perportion was 60515 and total percentage approximately 76% in 1800s. The proportion of 1900s Considerably higher than that 2000s at, [redacted phone] and [redacted phone] respectively. Finally, in Other districts, the proportion was 24% in 1800 and 46% in 1900s but, in 2000s, dramatically increased for population like 81%.
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 student attempts to address the task by reporting the population figures for New York City and its districts across the years 1800, 1900, and 2000. An overview is provided, noting the general upward trend for the city as a whole and the contrasting trend for Manhattan. However, the response contains several inaccuracies and imprecise statements. For example, the writer claims that the population in Manhattan declined 'every years', whereas the data shows an increase from 1800 to 1900 before falling in 2000. Furthermore, key percentages provided in the tables are misinterpreted or misreported, such as stating that the proportion for Other districts was '81%' in 2000 regarding population increase rather than as a share of the total. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed with some under-developed and inaccurate data selection.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The essay is divided into an introduction and two body paragraphs, attempting a logical structure. However, paragraphing and referencing are faulty. The introduction is disjointed with punctuation errors like 'Overall. it can be clearly seen'. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as starting paragraphs with 'First of all' and 'Secondly', which feels mechanical. The progression of ideas is hindered by repetitive phrasing and unclear referencing, such as 'Whereas, in Other districts same trend for New York city', which lacks a verb and proper logical connection. Overall organisation shows some arrangement but lacks clear overall progression.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, with noticeable errors that occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. The student makes spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'Public' instead of 'population', 'perportion' instead of 'proportion', and grammatical confusions like 'population decline of every years'. There are limited attempts at less common vocabulary, but these are often inaccurate, such as 'Considerably higher than that 2000s at'. The lexical range is minimally adequate for the task, but frequent word choice errors restrict the score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but control over grammar and punctuation is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including missing verbs ('while the second and third tables are show', 'Whereas, in Other districts same trend for New York city'), incorrect prepositions, and faulty subject-verb agreement. Punctuation is also problematic, evidenced by stray periods ('Overall. it can be clearly seen') and comma splices. These errors frequently impede communication and affect readability.
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.