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 three tables compares changes in the total population of New York City of the five districts over 1800 to 2000.
Overall, it is clear that the population is gradually rose by the year 2000 in all five districts of new york city including the five districts mentioned. In manhattan the pouplation percentage is least when compared to other four districts.
Looking first at table, the population is 79,216 in the year 1800, by the year 1900 the population is thrice than recorded in 1800. By the year 2000, the population is increased by five times in 100 years. Turning to table 2, it is showing the population of a district named manhatten, the population is continusly increasing but the percentages of total population in districts is high in Manhattan in 1800, it fell to 19% by the year 2000.
Turning to table 3, it is showing the population of other four districts , the population is continusly raised but the percentages of total population in other four districts is less when compared to manhattan in 1800, it gradually rose to 81% by the year 2000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response addresses the main features of the tables, outlining the overall population growth of New York City and the shift in proportions between Manhattan and the other districts. However, there are some inaccuracies and contradictions in the data reporting. For instance, the text states that in Manhattan 'the population is continusly increasing', whereas the data actually shows an increase from 1800 to 1900 (from 60,515 to 1,850,093) followed by a decrease to 1,538,096 in 2000. Additionally, the overview is slightly confused, as it repeats 'including the five districts mentioned' redundantly. While the main trends are highlighted, the lack of precision in reading the data points keeps this at a Band 5.5 level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The essay is divided into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for the different tables. Cohesive devices such as 'Looking first at table', 'Turning to table 2', and 'Turning to table 3' are used to structure the text. However, referencing is sometimes faulty and repetitive, and the overall progression lacks seamless connection. Paragraphing is attempted, but sentence-level cohesion feels somewhat mechanical. This corresponds to a Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with frequent misspellings and typos (e.g., 'compares' instead of 'compare', 'manhatten' instead of 'Manhattan', 'continusly' instead of 'continuously'). There is a limited range of vocabulary attempted, and words such as 'rose' and 'increased' are used repeatedly without much variety or precise collocation. While the meaning is generally communicated, the lexical limitations and errors place this at Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response features a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but control over grammar and tense consistency is weak. For example, the writer shifts between present and past tenses inappropriately ('the population is 79,216 in the year 1800... the population is increased'). There are also several punctuation and capitalisation errors, such as starting sentences with lowercase letters ('in manhattan') and failing to capitalise proper nouns ('new york city'). Errors are frequent, though they do not completely impede overall communication, earning a Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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