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 the overall population of New York City during the period [redacted phone]. The next two charts illustrate changes in the population of the five city districts throughout the same period.
Overall, from 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, in 1900 population rate was higher than the year 1800. Population rate was at its lowest point in year 1800. Additionally, in the first table New York City Manhattan had the highest percentage rate of total population. In 1800, Manhattan had the highest percentage of total population afterward in 1900 and then the lowest percentage rate of total population during the year 2000. Furthermore, 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 were 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 | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student attempts to cover the main data points, noting the overall population growth of New York City from 1800 to 2000 and mentioning the shift in percentages between Manhattan and the other districts. However, there are significant inaccuracies and confusion in interpreting the data. For instance, the phrase 'The highest rate of population in the year 2000 was almost 8,009,185' misuses the term 'rate' when referring to a total figure. Furthermore, the final sentence ('In contrast, Manhattan had the highest percentage of total population in New York City') contradicts the earlier accurate statement that Manhattan's share dropped to 19% by 2000 while other districts rose to 81%. Because of these confusions, logical selection of features is partially compromised, placing the response at Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response suffers from poor paragraphing and a lack of clear progression, being lumped into just two blocks of text where the introduction bleeds directly into the body without a clear overall overview. While some basic cohesive devices are used, such as 'Overall', 'However', and 'Additionally', other transitions are mechanically repetitive or confusingly deployed ('afterward in 1900 and then the lowest percentage rate', 'Furthermore, other districts... had the highest rate'). Referencing is also occasionally unclear, such as shifting between population numbers and percentages without clear signposting. This overall organization fits the Band 5 descriptors.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is repetitive and basic, relying heavily on terms like 'population', 'rate', 'percentage', and 'highest/lowest'. The student frequently miscollocates 'rate' with raw population counts (e.g., 'population rate was at its lowest point'). There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, but word choices lack precision and demonstrate limited flexibility. While communication is not entirely impeded, the frequent repetition and awkward phrasing restrict the score to a solid Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are missing articles and awkward phrasings throughout, such as 'in year 1800' instead of 'in the year 1800', and 'the percentage of total population were' where the verb fails to agree properly with the subject. Complex structures are attempted, but they often result in clumsy phrasing and occasional errors that cause some friction for the reader. This performance aligns closely with the Band 5.5 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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