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 table illustrate change the total population of New York City between 1800 to 2000, as well as changing in population of Manhattan and the other four districts over the same period.

Overall, the population of New YorkCity dramatically increased over the 2000 years. However, the Manhattan shared the total population declined considerably, while the other four districts rose substainbly. Manhattan decreased the population between 1900 and 2000.

In 1800, the total population of New York City total population 79,216, this figure increased sharply 3,437,202 in 1900 and than more than doubld 8,009,185 in 2000. In 1800, Manhattan had 60,515 resdents, accounted for the 76% of total population. By 1900, populatin had increased 1,850,093

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The student attempts to address the task by summarising the population changes in New York City and its districts between 1800 and 2000. An overview is attempted, noting the overall increase in total population and the shift in proportions between Manhattan and the other districts. However, the response is significantly under-length at only 114 words (falling short of the 150-word minimum), which places a strict ceiling on the task achievement score. Furthermore, the text cuts off mid-sentence, leaving the summary incomplete. While some data points from the tables are correctly referenced, the incomplete nature of the response means key features and comparisons are insufficiently developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The text begins with a basic introduction and an overall statement, followed by an attempt at paragraphing. However, because the response cuts off prematurely, the organisational structure is incomplete and lacks proper progression through a full body of data description. Cohesive devices are used simply (e.g., 'Overall', 'However', 'In 1800'), but referencing and logical flow are disrupted by the truncated ending. Paragraphing is initiated but not sustained as the text breaks off mid-thought at the end of the second body paragraph.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The student demonstrates a limited but adequate vocabulary for describing basic trends and numbers, using words such as 'dramatically increased', 'considerably', and 'sharply'. There are several noticeable lexical and spelling errors throughout the text, including 'illustrate' instead of 'illustrates', 'changing' instead of 'changes', 'NewYorkCity' (spacing error), 'substainbly' (misspelling of sustainably), 'resdents' (misspelling of residents), 'populatin' (misspelling of population), and 'doubld' (misspelling of doubled). These errors occasionally require the reader to slow down, though general meaning is still conveyed.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar and mechanics is weak. There are frequent basic grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('The table illustrate'), missing prepositions or articles ('the Manhattan shared the total population'), and fragmented clause structures ('than more than doubld'). Punctuation is generally rudimentary. Due to the high frequency of errors and the fact that the text ends abruptly, the grammatical range is limited and accuracy is low.

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.