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 illustrates how the total population of new york changed from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables demonstrates changes in the population of five districts of the city over the same period.
Overall, the population is recorded highest in 2000. The percentage of total population in Manhattan was highest in the starting year. Futhermore the in the other districts Brookyln, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island the total propotion of population was maximum in the last year.
Firstly, the population of New york was recorded at 79216, which was much lower in comparison to 1900 was [redacted phone] and in 2000 total population was [redacted phone]. The population of Manhattan was noticed 60515 which was 76% of the total population, while in 2000 it was [redacted phone] which is 19% of total population.
Other districts population was recorded at at 18701 which was just 24% of the total population, however in 2000 the significant numbers were [redacted phone] that is 81% of the entire population.
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 student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the total population figures and comparing Manhattan to the other districts across the specified years (1800, 1900, and 2000). The overview is present, highlighting the overall peak in 2000 and the shifting population dominance from Manhattan to the other districts. Key data points are correctly cited from the tables, such as Manhattan's population in 1800 (60,515) and 2000 (1,538,096), as well as the respective percentages. While the 1900 data for other districts could have been more fully integrated into the body paragraphs for a deeper comparison, the main trends are clearly identified and supported with accurate numerical references. This satisfies the requirements for a Band 6.5 or solid 6.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is arranged coherently with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and body paragraphs dealing with specific data points. However, the paragraphing is somewhat fragmented, with a very short second paragraph and separate sentences that could be better linked. Cohesive devices are used, but they are sometimes mechanical or repetitive, such as the use of 'Firstly' and 'Other districts population was recorded at at 18701 which was just 24%... however in 2000...'. Referencing is generally clear, but the logical progression between the general overview and the specific data details lacks seamless transitions. Paragraphing is used, but it could be managed more appropriately to group related comparisons together.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing terms such as 'illustrates', 'proportion', 'entire population', and 'significant numbers'. However, there are noticeable spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'new york' (capitalisation), 'demonstrates' (agreement error with plural 'tables'), 'Futhermore' (spelling), 'Brookyln' (spelling), and 'propotion' (spelling). Less common vocabulary is attempted with some inaccuracy. While these errors do not impede communication because the data is still understandable, they prevent the lexical score from reaching Band 7.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as relative clauses ('which was much lower in comparison to...') and contrastive structures ('while in 2000 it was...'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors and punctuation lapses, such as missing capitalisation ('new york'), subject-verb agreement issues ('The second and third tables demonstrates'), and awkward phrasing ('in 1900 was 3437202'). Punctuation is also lacking in places, particularly with comma splices or run-on structures ('population was recorded at 79216, which was much lower in comparison to 1900 was 3437202 and in 2000 total population was 8009185'). These errors require some effort from the reader to parse, though they do not completely block communication.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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