Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The first given table give information about changes in the total population of New York city from 1800 to 2000 while the remaining two tables illustrate changes in the population of the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island) through out the period.
Overall, it can be obseved that New York city recorded significantly changes through the period. Population of Manhattan district went down through out century whereas other districts accounted for large increased in the population over the period.
To begin with, Population of New York city in 1800 was 79,216 before increasing considerably in 1900 upto 3,437,202. In addition, it went up upto 8,009,185 in 2000. Meanwhile,the population of Manhattan district was 76% in 1800. Then the figure of percentage decrease upto 54% in the next century whereas in 2000 the population were 1,538,096 19%. The figure for population of Manhattan district in 2000 and other four districts in 1900 were nearly the same.
As for the rest of the data, the others four districs represented 18,701 (24%) total population in 1800. The population increased rapidly till 2000 upto 6,471,089 (81%) the total.
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 attempts to cover the main features of the tables, including the total population growth of New York City and the shifting proportions between Manhattan and the other districts. An overview is present, noting that the city changed significantly, with Manhattan declining in percentage terms while other districts grew. However, there are several inaccuracies and awkward phrasings in reporting the data. For instance, the student states that the population of Manhattan 'went down through out century' whereas the absolute population actually rose between 1800 and 1900 before dropping slightly by 2000. Furthermore, some figures are awkwardly combined or misread, such as 'whereas in 2000 the population were 1,538,096 19%'. While the core trends are identified, the lack of precision prevents the response from achieving a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is organized into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. Logical transitions are attempted using cohesive phrases like 'To begin with', 'Meanwhile', and 'As for the rest of the data'. However, the progression of ideas is occasionally disjointed due to confusing sentence structures. For example, the sentence 'The figure for population of Manhattan district in 2000 and other four districts in 1900 were nearly the same' creates a confusing comparison. Paragraphing is present, but internal cohesion is sometimes mechanical or faulty, pulling the score down into the mid-band range.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, attempting words and phrases such as 'significantly changes', 'considerably', and 'proportion'. However, there are numerous lexical and collocational errors throughout the text, such as 'large increased' instead of 'large increase', 'upto', 'districs', and awkward expressions like 'the population were 1,538,096 19%'. Word formation errors and spelling slips ('obseved', 'districs') are noticeable and occasionally cause strain for the reader, limiting the lexical score to a Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as the use of 'while' and 'whereas' to join clauses. However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors in verb forms, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions. Examples include 'The first given table give information' (subject-verb agreement), 'went down through out century' (missing article), and 'the others four districs' (plural/determiner error). Complex structures are frequently faulty, and errors persist throughout, though they do not completely impede overall communication.
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.