Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-27
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 tables display the changes in the overall residents of the different regions of New York City over a two-decade between 1800 to 2000.
Overall, what stands out most of the tables is that the highest number of people recorded in the Manhattan district of New York City. Another interesting point is that the lowest ratio of populace was also took place in this city. While, other districts were remained the stable ratio of the people.
Looking at the details, all five regions of the New York City assumed the highest number of population in 2000 at 8,009,185. However, the lowest amount of populace were recorded in 1800 at 79,216. In 1900, the population of all five regions had grown from 79,216 in 1800 to 3,437,202 in 1900.
In Contrast, population in other districts except Manhattan had rapidly grew from 24% to 81% over a period between 1800 to 2000. Moreover, the residents of Manhattan region had declined from 76% to 19% over a period from 1800 t0 2000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to address the prompt by reporting figures from the tables, but there are several factual inaccuracies and misinterpretations of the data. For instance, the opening sentence refers to 'a two-decade between 1800 to 2000,' which is mathematically incorrect for a 200-year span. Furthermore, the statement that 'all five regions of the New York City assumed the highest number of population in 2000 at 8,009,185' conflates the total population with individual district counts, and the claim that 'other districts were remained the stable ratio' contradicts the data showing a massive rise from 24% to 81%. An overview is attempted, but it contains confusing phrasing and contradictory ideas about Manhattan's population ratios. The response achieves a partial overview and attempts some comparison, but factual errors limit task fulfillment.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay is divided into paragraphs, which provides a basic structural framework, but logical progression and cohesion are frequently disrupted. The opening sentence contains a major time confusion ('over a two-decade between 1800 to 2000'). Transitional phrases are used, but they are often awkward or inappropriately placed, such as 'While, other districts were remained the stable ratio' and 'In Contrast, population in other districts'. Referencing is also weak, leading to confusion about whether the writer is referring to specific districts or the aggregate city total. Paragraphing structure is present, but internal cohesion is flawed.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with several awkward collocations and word choices. Examples include 'overall residents,' 'lowest ratio of populace,' 'assumed the highest number,' and 'stable ratio of the people.' There are also issues with parts of speech and word forms, such as 'the lowest amount of populace were recorded' (population should be used instead of amount/populace, and subject-verb agreement is incorrect with 'were'). The range of vocabulary is limited and adequate only for basic communication, falling short of the precision needed for a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The text displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but it is marred by frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede smooth reading. Examples of errors include awkward passive and active voice mixing ('populace was also took place'), incorrect verb tenses and forms ('other districts were remained'), and tense inconsistency ('had rapidly grew' instead of had grown or grew). Punctuation and spelling are mostly acceptable, but structural control is weak, and many complex constructions contain foundational errors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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