Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-01

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 displays variation in overall population of New York city while remaining two tables describe the changes held in population of five district of the city( Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and staten island) between 1800 and 2000.

Overall, it is clear that maximum number of residency in New York found in 2000 when Manhattan has 19% population and 81% population declared by other four city district.

In Manhattan, 76% population has stood in 1800 that were 60,515 individuals in numbers. In 1900, total population were 1,850,093 people while population slightly decreasedin 2000 from 1,850,093 to 1,538,096. There percentage was ranging from 54% to 19%.

In other four cities district, percentage was 24% in 1800 which were 18,701 in numbers. In 1900, this population is increased from 24% to 46% while there individuals number is dramaticaly increased from 1,587,109 to 6,471,089 between 1900 and 2000.

In 1800, total number of individuals was 79,216 while it dramaticaly raise in 1900 that was 3,437,202. In 2000, large number of residency declared such as 8,009,185.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt partially by summarizing the provided tables, but the reporting of key data features is inconsistent and contains inaccuracies. For instance, the student states that the population in Manhattan 'slightly decreased in 2000 from 1,850,093 to 1,538,096', which correctly captures the trend, but the selection of data is sometimes repetitive or awkwardly phrased, such as stating 'maximum number of residency in New York found in 2000'. While an overview is attempted, it is awkwardly integrated into the second paragraph. To move higher, the response needs to provide a clearer, more precise selection of main trends and comparisons without relying on unclear summaries or awkward phrasing.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is a basic organization to the response, with an introductory sentence followed by body paragraphs addressing Manhattan, the other districts, and the overall totals. However, the overall progression lacks clarity and smooth transitions. Cohesive devices are used mechanically or inadequately, such as the repeated use of 'In [year]' to start sentences, which makes the flow repetitive. Paragraphing is attempted, but grouping information logically is hindered by repetitive statements. To achieve a higher band, the writer must ensure that ideas follow a clearer logical progression and that cohesive devices are used more flexibly and naturally to connect sentences and paragraphs.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited and barely adequate for the task, with noticeable errors that occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. The student frequently misuses word forms and collocations, such as 'maximum number of residency', 'other four city district', and 'there individuals number'. Spelling errors also appear, including 'dramaticaly' and 'decreasedin'. While the writer attempts less common vocabulary like 'dramatically increase', inaccurate word choices and word-formation errors constrain the range. To improve, the student needs to build a more precise lexical repertoire, paying closer attention to correct word forms, parts of speech, and standard collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response shows a very limited range of sentence structures, relying primarily on simple sentences and basic descriptive patterns. Attempts at more complex structures or expressing proportions often result in faulty grammar, such as '76% population has stood in 1800 that were 60,515 individuals in numbers' and 'There percentage was ranging from 54% to 19%'. Frequent errors in subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'total population were', 'percentage was ... which were', 'this population is increased') and awkward prepositional usage can cause difficulty for the reader. To progress, the writer should practice forming complex sentences accurately, ensuring consistent tense usage and proper subject-verb agreement.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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