Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-28
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 ILLUSTRATES THE FIGURS OF TOTAL POPULATION AND ALTERATION WHICH HAPPEN DURING THE PERIOD OF 1800 TO 2000 IN THE NEW YORK CITY.
AS CAN BE SEEN FROM THE DATA, POPULATION HAS BEEN INCREASED REMARKABLY THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD AMONG ALL FOUR DISTRICTS EXCEPT MANHATTAN. MANHATTAN, SHARE HAS BEEN FELL CONSIDERABLY FROM 76% TO 19% INSTEAD OF RISE IN THE POPULATION IN THAT DISTRICT IN 1900 . IN 1800, PROPORTION WAS HIGHEST ABOUT 76% AS COMPARED WITH OTHER DISTRICTS BUT IN 1900 IT DIPPED SIGNIFICANTLY TO 54% AND IN 2000 IT REACHED TO THE LOWEST TO 19%.
WHILE,OTHER FOUR DISTRICT HAS SHOWN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD. SHARE OF ALL CITY HAS BEEN ROSE GRADUALLY BY 12-PERCENTAGE-POINTS FROM 1800 TP 1900. AND LATER ON IN 2000 IT ACCOUNTED LARGEST SHARE AMONG ALL THE DISTRICT WHICH WAS 81%.
OVERALL,POPULATION AND SHARE OF POPULATION IS BEEN INCREASING EXCEPT MANHATTAN DISTRICT WHICH FELL TO LOWEST AMONG ALL .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to address the task by reporting the main features and trends from the tables, noting the overall population growth and the shifting percentages between Manhattan and the other districts. However, there are notable inaccuracies in reading the data. For instance, the text states that Manhattan's population fell in 1900, whereas the table shows an increase from 60,515 in 1800 to 1,850,093 in 1900 (its percentage fell, but its absolute population grew). Furthermore, some expressions are confusing or imprecise. Despite these data misinterpretations, the response covers the general comparison between Manhattan and the other districts and includes an overview. This performance aligns with Band 5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is divided into paragraphs, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and an overall summary. However, the logical progression is hindered by poor referencing and abrupt transitions. For example, expressions like 'WHILE,OTHER FOUR DISTRICT HAS SHOWN' and 'AND LATER ON IN 2000' create mechanical and sometimes confusing links between ideas. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, and pronoun referencing is weak (e.g., 'MANHATTAN, SHARE HAS BEEN FELL'). Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal organization lacks clear flow and smooth progression. This corresponds to Band 5.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive. The student relies heavily on words like 'population', 'district', 'share', 'increase', and 'fell'. There are several instances of incorrect word forms and collocations, such as 'THE TABLES ILLUSTRATES THE FIGURS' (spelling and agreement error), 'ALTERATION WHICH HAPPEN', 'POPULATION HAS BEEN INCREASED REMARKABLY', and 'SHARE HAS BEEN FELL'. Attempts at less common vocabulary are either inaccurate or marred by spelling mistakes ('FIGURS'). The lexical range is limited and minimally adequate for the task, which fits the Band 5 descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0
The writing is entirely in capital letters, which is inappropriate. Grammatically, there is a very limited range of structures, and most complex attempts contain severe errors. There are frequent mistakes in verb tenses and voice, such as 'POPULATION HAS BEEN INCREASED' (should be active or simple past/present perfect without passive mismatch), 'HAS BEEN ROSE', and 'IS BEEN INCREASING'. Punctuation and article usage are also weak throughout the text. These frequent errors cause considerable difficulty for the reader and reflect Band 4.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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