Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-30
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 the population of new york city which changed over the 1800 to 2000 year period. The second and third table demonstrates the change in population which occur in various districts.
Overall, the population of New York city experienced dramatic increase over the three year period, with making 2000 the highly populated year. Second table indicates population in Manhatten, which fluctuated throughout the period. Other district whereas shows immensed increase of popluation within given period.
New york city, initially contains 79,216 population rates in 1800, which took a sharp increase in 1900 to 3,437,202 figure and continously showed a more dramatic increase by the end of 2000, accounting for largest population rate of 8,009,185
Manhatten city fluctuated throughout tge period, in 1800 the population figure was 60,515 constituting 76% , which took a steady increase upto 1,850,093 at 54% , and followed a gradual decline by the end of 2000 to 1,538,096, making only 19 %.
Other district on the other hand showed a consistent grwoth . In 1800 the rate was only 24% (18,701), which witnessed a continous growth upto 46%(1,587,109) in 1900 and consequently bh the end of 2000 they showed the greatest increase upto 81%, figuring them the highest populated area.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The student successfully reports the main features and makes relevant comparisons across the tables. Key data points are accurately identified, such as the total population growth from 79,216 in 1800 to over 8 million in 2000, and the shift in proportions between Manhattan and the other districts. An overview is present, highlighting the dramatic increase in population and the changing distribution between Manhattan and other areas. However, there are minor inaccuracies in terminology, such as referring to Manhattan as 'Manhatten city' rather than a district, and occasional slight mischaracterisations of trends. Overall, the task is addressed well, placing it at a solid band 6.5 to 7.0 range. We award 6.5 as some ideas could be extended further.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is structured into distinct paragraphs, starting with an introduction, moving to an overview, and then breaking down the specific tables. Cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand' and 'consequently' are used to connect ideas. However, paragraphing and referencing are sometimes mechanical, and there are awkward transitions between sentences, such as 'Other district whereas shows immensed increase'. Progression is generally clear, but the logical flow is occasionally hindered by repetitive phrasing and weak cohesive ties. This aligns well with the band 6 descriptors.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary for the task, attempting less common lexical items such as 'fluctuated', 'constituting', and 'gradual decline'. However, there are several spelling errors throughout the text (e.g., 'new york' uncapitalised, 'Manhatten', 'immensed', 'popluation', 'grwoth') and issues with word formation or collocation ('population rates', 'highly populated year'). While communication is not impeded, these errors prevent the response from achieving a higher band. The range is sufficient for a band 6.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating relative clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'accounting for largest population rate', 'making only 19 %'). However, grammatical errors are frequent, including missing articles ('in 1800 the population figure was...'), incorrect preposition usage, and subject-verb agreement issues (e.g., 'Other district... showed'). Punctuation errors, such as spacing before commas and periods, also occur. Because errors persist and can occasionally cause minor disruption, the performance fits the band 5.5 to 6.0 criteria; a 6.0 is awarded as meaning remains clear.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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