Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-29
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 first table chart represents changes in overall population of new york city during the period [redacted phone].The next two charts illustrate changes in population of the five city districts throughout the same period.
Overall, in 1800 to 2000 population increased rapidly according to that table the highest rate of population in the year 2000 was almost 8,009,185. However during the year 1900 population rate increased than the year 1800. Number of population rate was the lowest point at the period of 1800. Additionally, at first table new york city Mantattan had highest percentage rate of total population.In 1800, manhattan was highest percentage of total population afterward in 1900 and then the lowest percentage rate of total population during the year 2000. Furthermore, the other districts Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten island had highest rate of total popultion which was almost 81% in 2000. Whereas during the period [redacted phone] the percentage of total population was 24% and 46% respectively. In contrast, Manhattan was the highest percentage of total popultion in new york city.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| 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 task by summarizing the provided tables concerning the population of New York City and its districts from 1800 to 2000. However, the response suffers from several inaccuracies and confusion regarding the data. For instance, the phrase 'the highest rate of population in the year 2000 was almost 8,009,185' confuses the absolute population figure with a rate. Furthermore, the overview is weak, and the reporting of trends lacks precision. While the general trajectory of growth is mentioned, the contrast between Manhattan and the other districts is muddled towards the end of the text. Overall, the task is addressed only partially, warranting a band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response exhibits some organization, notably attempting an introductory overview and subsequent body details, but it lacks clear overall progression and logical paragraphing. The text is written as two dense blocks with poor partitioning of ideas. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or repetitively (e.g., 'However during the year', 'Additionally, at first table', 'Furthermore', 'In contrast'). Referencing is also confusing at times, such as 'at first table new york city Mantattan had highest percentage rate'. There is no clear logical flow guiding the reader smoothly through the comparative data, placing this in the band 5.0 category.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, frequently misusing terms related to data reporting (e.g., confusing 'population' with 'population rate' or 'percentage rate'). Words like 'highest' and 'population' are repeated excessively without sufficient synonyms or varied lexical structures. There are also spelling errors such as 'Mantattan' and 'popultion'. While the language is minimally adequate to convey a basic topic, the limited range and noticeable errors place it firmly at band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but control is weak. There are frequent punctuation omissions, such as missing capitalization and missing commas, along with sentence structure issues like 'However during the year 1900 population rate increased than the year 1800', which lacks a comparative form and clear subject-verb alignment. Errors in prepositions and articles are common (e.g., 'at first table new york city Mantattan had highest percentage rate'). Although the meaning can generally be deciphered, the frequency of grammatical errors causes difficulty, corresponding to a band 5.0.
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