Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

There are three tables given, where first table illustrates the total citizenship of New York City while, second and third graph illustrates the changes in five districts of New York City population over the same period from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the pattern shows the increment in population over the increasing years. Although, in 1900 and 2000 it shows the massive increment in population but in 1800 and 1900 the massive population increament have been seen in Manhattan district while, in 2000 the large population increase is found in other four districts.

Firstly, New York City population is increased in all passing years where it was 79216 in 1800, large part of population was found in Manhattan of 76% and 24% in other four districts. It increased massively to [redacted phone] in 1900, but again the large increment in population found in only Manhattan district of 54% and 46% in other four districts include Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island.

Furthermore, in 2000 New York City increased to [redacted phone] where the massive population growth seen in other four districts of 81% and only 19% in Manhattan

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The student successfully covers the main features of the visual data, reporting the overall population growth of New York City and the shifting distribution between Manhattan and the other four districts between 1800 and 2000. Key statistics, such as the total population figures and the percentage breakdowns (e.g., Manhattan starting at 76% in 1800 and dropping to 19% by 2000), are accurately cited and compared. However, the overview is somewhat repetitive and simplistic, lacking a more sophisticated synthesis of the data. While all parts of the prompt are addressed, the development of ideas remains somewhat mechanical, pulling the score into the Band 6 range.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement and attempts a logical progression from an introduction to an overview, followed by body paragraphs detailing the specific years. However, paragraphing is underdeveloped, with the second body paragraph running abruptly into a truncated final sentence. Cohesive devices are sometimes used awkwardly or mechanically (e.g., 'Firstly', 'Furthermore'). Referencing is generally clear, but the lack of smooth transitions and a fully formed concluding sentence limits the score to Band 5.5.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, with terms like 'citizenship' (misused for population), 'increment', 'distribution', and percentages. However, there is noticeable awkwardness in word choice, such as 'total citizenship' instead of 'total population', and frequent repetition of words like 'massive', 'increment', and 'population'. Less common lexical items are attempted but often lack precision or natural collocation. Spelling is generally accurate, but lexical control is inconsistent, fitting the Band 5 descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but grammatical control is weak. There are frequent errors in punctuation, missing articles ('the first table', 'in other four districts'), and awkward clause structures, such as run-on sentences in the second paragraph ('Although, in 1900 and 2000 it shows the massive increment in population but in 1800...'). While communication is not severely impeded, the high frequency of grammatical slips and lack of error-free complex sentences keeps the score at Band 5.0.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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