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 main changes in total polpulation of New York City between 1800 and 2000. The second and third tables demonstrates the changes in the population of five divisions of the city, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island over the same period.

Overall, Manhattan initially had the largest population, while the other districts experienced the substantial increased throughout the period. In addition, the proportion of the total population living in Manhattan declined steadily, whereas opposite trend was seen in other districts.

In terms of population, New York City in all five districts was increased, in 1800 was 79,216 and in 2000 population reaching over 8,009,185. Manhattan population rose dramatically between 1800 and 2000 before declining slightly by 2000. In 1800 the population of Manhattan was 60,515 after that its climb up, at 1,850,093, In addition, its declined reached at 1,538,096 in 2000. Whereas, other districts was also increased in these years. In 1800 population was stood at 18,701, while in 1900 its reached at 1,587,109 and in 2000 population was 6,471,089.

In terms of percentage, Manhattan was steadily decreased from 1800 to 2000 taht was 76% in 1800, 54% in 1900 and 19% in 2000 respectively. Moreover, in other districts the propotion of total population was rose gradually, 24% in 1800, 46% in 1900 and 81% was in 2000 that was significant increased in this year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by summarising the total population data alongside the breakdown for Manhattan and the other districts from 1800 to 2000. An appropriate overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the contrasting trends between Manhattan and the other districts (i.e., Manhattan's initial dominance and subsequent percentage decline versus the substantial growth in other areas). Key features and data points are selected and reported, such as the overall population rising from 79,216 to over 8 million, and Manhattan's population peaking before dropping slightly by 2000. However, there are minor inaccuracies in reporting the data for Manhattan, such as stating it declined slightly by 2000 after rising dramatically, whereas the table shows it rose from 1800 to 1900 (60,515 to 1,850,093) and then declined to 1,538,096 in 2000. Overall, the task is well addressed with clear comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is structured into four logical paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, a body paragraph detailing absolute population figures, and a final body paragraph focusing on percentages. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In addition', 'whereas', and 'In terms of' are used to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different aspects of the visual data. However, progression is occasionally hindered by clunky transitions and repetitive phrasing ('In terms of...', 'In 1800...'). Referencing is generally clear, but some sentences feel disjointed due to awkward phrasing or mechanical linking, placing the response solidly in the band 6 category for cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common items such as 'proportion', 'dramatically', 'steadily', and 'significant'. However, there are notable spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'polpulation' (population), 'demonstrates' (should be plural 'demonstrate'), 'increased' instead of 'increase' or 'increases', and 'taht' (that). Collocations and lexical choices are sometimes unnatural, for example 'its climb up' and 'its declined reached at'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main trends, the recurring lexical and spelling errors restrict the score to a 5.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and contrasting conjunctions like 'whereas'. However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors in verb tense and voice. Examples include 'New York City in all five districts was increased' (passive/active confusion), 'population reaching over 8,009,185' (fragmented participle clause), 'its climb up' (incorrect tense and structure), and 'other districts was also increased'. Punctuation is also problematic in places, with comma splices connecting independent clauses. These persistent errors in basic grammar and sentence structure mean communication is occasionally strained, warranting a band 5.0.

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