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 tables shows the data about the changes of total population across the New York city from 1800 to 2000. The data is compiled in the form of 3 tables including the data of population at district level as well.
Overall, there are 3 tables presented in total out of which the first one illustrates all the changes that took place in overall the New York City population over years. However, the second tables only contains the population data of a single district called "Manhattan" over the same period while the third table shows the population changes took place in the rest of 4 districts.
In 1800, the total population of the New York City was 79,216 with the district Manhattan accounting for 76% of the total population. In early 20th century, the total population increased tremendously to the four times it was in 1800s but the percentage of Manhattan contribution dropped 20 times tahj previous to overall population nas a roise is seen in the contribution from the other four districts.
In 21st century, the total population was more than double but not the tripled than it was on 20th century and a dramatic increase took place in the population of other 4 districts that increased 6 times from previous with a bit decrease in Manhattan 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 | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the overall population and the district-level data across the specified years. Key figures, such as the total population of New York City in 1800 (79,216) and 2000 (8,009,185), along with Manhattan's percentage shift from 76% to 19%, are appropriately included and compared. However, there are some minor inaccuracies and awkward phrasings in describing the comparative changes, such as stating Manhattan's contribution dropped '20 times tahj previous'. Nevertheless, an overview is present, and the key trends regarding the decentralisation of the population from Manhattan to the other districts are clearly identified. This performance aligns well with Band 6 descriptors.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay is structured into four paragraphs, including a clear introduction and an overall overview. Ideas are logically sequenced, moving from the general city population to specific district comparisons. However, cohesive devices and referencing are sometimes mechanical or faulty, as seen in phrases like 'the second tables only contains' and repetitive sentence structures ('the total population... the total population'). Paragraphing is used adequately to separate the introduction, overview, and body details, but the progression between sentences occasionally feels stilted. Overall, the organization is coherent, fitting a Band 6 standard.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as 'decentralisation' conceptually, and using terms like 'tremendously', 'dramatic increase', and 'contribution'. However, there are several noticeable word-choice errors, typos, and awkward collocations, such as 'tahj previous', 'nas a roise is seen', and 'not the tripled than it was'. Spelling errors like 'tahj' detract from clarity. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the general message, these persistent lexical inaccuracies prevent the response from achieving a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and comparative structures. However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several structural errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('The tables shows'), awkward comparative formations ('more than double but not the tripled than'), and run-on or tangled clauses in the third and fourth paragraphs. Punctuation is basic. While these errors do not completely impede communication, their frequency places the response firmly within the Band 5 range for grammar.
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