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 gives the data about New York City population from [redacted phone]. And other two paragraphs show five different city's populatoin and % of total population in the New York City. Overall, it is clear that the New York City's population sky rocketed from 1900.
In beginning of 1800s, Manhattan show population reaching well over 60000, which was majority of the new york population totaling upto 76%. However, It showed a gradual declined and was just about 54% of total population of the city with 1.8 million people living in it. This decline was due to heavy migration from all over the world in other districts of the city such as Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.
Othe districts population rose from 18000 making 24% of the total new york population in 1800s to 1.5 million in 1900s.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student covers the main features of the tables, including the total population growth and the shift in proportions between Manhattan and the other districts. An overview is provided, stating that New York City's population skyrocketed. However, there is a data error: the student writes that Manhattan's population reached 'well over 60000' in 1800, which is correct (60,515), but later implies this population level dropped to 1.8 million in 1900, confusing population figures with percentages and absolute numbers. Furthermore, the response is under-length, containing only 139 words against the 150-word minimum requirement. This negatively impacts the overall task fulfillment.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay is divided into three paragraphs, providing a basic organizational structure with an introduction, an overview, and body details. However, paragraphing is unconventional, as the overview is placed at the end of the first paragraph rather than standing alone or forming a clear introductory sequence. Logical progression is somewhat disrupted by slight confusion in the data presentation. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'However' and 'This decline', but referencing is occasionally unclear, and transitions between sentences can feel abrupt.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student attempts some less common vocabulary, such as 'sky rocketed', 'gradual declined', and 'heavy migration'. However, there are noticeable lexical and spelling inaccuracies, such as 'populatoin', 'declined' instead of 'decline', and 'Othe districts'. The range of vocabulary is adequate for basic reporting, but word choice errors and typos restrict the lexical score to a Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is attempted, such as 'which was majority of the new york population totaling upto 76%.' There are several grammatical errors, including missing articles ('In beginning of 1800s', 'majority of the new york population'), capitalization issues ('new york'), and subject-verb agreement or tense inconsistencies ('Manhattan show', 'It showed a gradual declined'). Punctuation is also faulty in places. These errors occasionally cause minor strain for the reader.
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