Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-04

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 depicts alters in total strength of individuals, who belong to New York city for a period of 20 decades. While second and third accompanying tables illustrate modifications in the population across five districts over a period of 200 years.

Overall, Manhattan had the highest percentage of population compared with the rest of four cities and with the passage of time, this population slumped to a considerable extent. Meanwhile, all four cities had the highest proportions of population at the end of the era.

To begin with, New York contained a total of 79,216 population in 1800, while Manhattan had remaining 76% of individuals and the rest of the citizens accounted for 24%, belonged to four cities include: Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island. Furthermore, by 1900, the total population surged to a substantial extent which was 3,437,202 and among all the population Manhattan had 54% while 81% amounted to four cities.

In addition, in the year of 2000, total population edged up 8,009,185; likewise, Manhattan population tumbled from 54% to 19%. Apart from that, the general populace's of other districts of New York climbed to 81%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the population changes in New York City and its districts from 1800 to 2000. An overview is provided, highlighting the dominance of Manhattan initially and its subsequent relative decline compared to the other districts. However, some parts of the response are under-developed or contain unclear data reporting. For instance, the math and percentages reported in the third paragraph become confused, such as stating 'while 81% amounted to four cities' for the year 1900 when the actual figure in the table was 46%. To reach a higher band, the student needs to ensure all data points and comparisons are reported with complete accuracy and clarity without misinterpreting the source data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response maintains a coherent overall arrangement with a clear division into paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing the data. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as 'Overall', 'To begin with', and 'In addition'. However, referencing and cohesion are sometimes faulty or mechanical. For example, the transition phrases in the body paragraphs do not always link the data smoothly, and terms like 'rest of four cities' and 'four cities' are used repetitively rather than varying the referencing. To improve, the writer should employ a wider and more natural range of cohesive devices to guide the reader through the comparisons more fluently.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common lexical items such as 'slumped', 'surged', and 'tumbled'. However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice, collocation, and phrasing that reflect a limited range. Examples of awkward word choices include 'alters in total strength of individuals', 'general populace's', and referring to the districts as 'four cities' rather than districts or boroughs. Additionally, spelling and word formation errors appear. To achieve a higher score, the student needs to use vocabulary more precisely and avoid unnatural collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting structures such as dependent clauses and comparative constructions. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, but they rarely impede communication. Examples of grammatical lapses include preposition errors like 'belong to New York city for a period of 20 decades' (centuries) and missing articles or incorrect pluralisation in phrases like 'total population edged up 8,009,185'. To move up to a higher band, the writer must increase control over complex sentence patterns and improve grammatical accuracy, particularly with prepositions and dependent clauses.

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

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