Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The first table 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 the 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. Population rate was at lowest point in the period of 1800. Additionally, in first table New York City Mantattan had the highest percentage rate of total population.In 1800, Manhattan had 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 the highest rate of total population which was almost 81% in 2000. During the period [redacted phone] the percentage of total population was 24% and 46% respectively. In contrast, Manhattan had the highest percentage of total population in New York City.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the tables, including the total population changes and the breakdown between Manhattan and the other districts from 1800 to 2000. An overview is attempted at the beginning of the second paragraph, though it is somewhat confused grammatically ("in 1800 to 2000 population increased rapidly according to the table the highest rate of population in the year 2000 was almost 8,009,185"). The student successfully extracts key data points, such as Manhattan's decreasing percentage share (from 76% down to 19%) and the inverse trend in other districts. However, some phrasing is imprecise, such as referring to population figures as "rates". While all major trends are mentioned, the analysis is occasionally repetitive and lacks depth in contrasting the data effectively. Band 6 reflects that the task is addressed adequately, though certain parts are under-developed or expressed unclearly.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The text demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement and follows a logical sequence, moving from overall population growth to district-specific breakdowns. However, paragraphing is weak; the response is presented as only two dense blocks of text, with the second paragraph being overly long and lacking clear internal subdivision. Cohesive devices are sometimes mechanical or misused ("However, during the year 1900 population rate increased than the year 1800", "afterward in 1900 and then"), and referencing is occasionally unclear or repetitive, such as the multiple contradictory statements about Manhattan having the highest percentage. While the progression is generally understandable, the lack of proper paragraphing and occasional faulty cohesion prevent the score from reaching Band 7. Band 6 is appropriate as the organization is clear overall despite mechanical links and poor paragraph breaks.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as "overall", "percentage", "districts", and "population". However, there is a persistent misuse of the word "rate" to describe absolute population numbers or percentages ("highest rate of population in the year 2000 was almost 8,009,185"). Less common vocabulary is attempted with mixed success, and there are minor lexical inaccuracies and repetitions throughout the text. Spelling is generally accurate, but word choices lack precision and flexibility. Communication is not impeded, but the limitations in lexical control and inappropriate word choices place this firmly at Band 6.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and time markers (e.g., "during the period 1800-2000", "which was almost 81% in 2000"). However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly regarding missing prepositions, awkward phrasing, and comparative structures ("increased than the year 1800", "in first table New York City Mantattan had"). Punctuation is also faulty in places, such as missing spaces after periods. While the meaning remains mostly clear and communication is rarely impeded, the density of grammatical slips and lack of consistent control over complex structures prevent the writing from achieving a Band 6.5 or 7.0. Band 6 is well-earned as simple structures are generally accurate while complex attempts contain errors.
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