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 represent the data of the changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 and 2000, meanwhile the other tables provide information of changes in the population of five districts of the city over the same time period.
overall, a significant increase was seen in the population of New York City. Similarly, in Manhattan a greater change was seen in the first twon centuary. On the other hand, more ups and downs were there in other districts.
In 1800, The population of New York City (all five districts) was 79,216. In 1900, it was 3,437,202 and in 2000, 8,009,185.
However, the changes in population that were seen in Manhattan the districts of NYC in 1800 was 76%, which droped in 1900 to 54%. However, in 2000 the smallest proportion was of 19%
Consequently, the other districts showed variation in the percentage changes of the population. Year 1800 accounted for 24%, which increased in 1900 to 46%. However, the greatest change in proportion was seen in 2000, about 81%
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 addresses the main parts of the task by reporting the total population changes of New York City and the breakdown between Manhattan and the other districts across the three given years (1800, 1900, and 2000). Key features and proportional shifts are highlighted, such as Manhattan's decline in population share from 76% in 1800 to 19% in 2000, and the corresponding rise in the other districts. However, there are minor issues with clarity and precision in the overview and expression, such as the awkward phrasing 'the first twon centuary' and some slightly confusing sentences. Nonetheless, the overall trends are accurately captured, placing this response at Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is arranged logically with an introduction, an overview paragraph, and body paragraphs dedicated to specific data points. Cohesive devices such as 'meanwhile', 'overall', 'similarly', and 'however' are utilized to connect ideas, though some transitions feel a bit mechanical or repetitive (e.g., starting multiple sentences with 'However'). Paragraphing is present, separating the overview from the detailed body paragraphs, which contributes to a coherent overall arrangement. Referencing is generally clear, earning a solid Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms such as 'proportion', 'variation', 'significant increase', and 'districts'. However, there are several spelling and word choice errors, such as 'represent' instead of 'represents', 'twon centuary' instead of 'two centuries', and 'droped' instead of 'dropped'. These errors do not impede communication, but they restrict the lexical score to a Band 5.5, as attempts at less common vocabulary often involve inaccuracies.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating clauses with relative or transitional structures (e.g., 'meanwhile the other tables provide information...'). However, grammatical control is inconsistent, featuring errors such as subject-verb agreement issues ('The first table represent'), spelling mistakes affecting word forms, and occasional awkward phrasing ('the changes in population that were seen in Manhattan the districts of NYC'). While these errors rarely completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to warrant a Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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