Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-06
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 5.0)
The tables illustrate the changes in the total population of New York City and five districts over the period of 200 years.
Overall, in 1800, all five districts of New York was 79,216 person while in Year 2000, the number increased into 8,009,185. Manhattan City was less populated in 1800 with 60,515 while in 2000 this number reached to 1,538,096. Manhattan population rate was high in Year 1800 and 1900 with 76% and 54% respectively while the number decreased in Year 2000 at 19% rate. Other three districts contribution in population was low in 1800 and 1900 while they jumped in Year 2000 at 81% rate.
In comparison, Manhattan population rate increase from 1800 to 1900 with almost 18 times and then this number decreased almost 3 times in Year 2000.
in Year 1800 to 1900, other three districts population increased more than 15 times and it also increased from 1900 to 2000
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response addresses the task only partially, and the length requirement is not met as the essay is 6 words short of the 150-word minimum. Furthermore, 9 words copied from the task prompt were not counted. While the student attempts to summarise the overall changes in New York City and its districts between 1800 and 2000, the selection of data is somewhat limited and contains noticeable inaccuracies. For example, the text states that 'all five districts of New York was 79,216 person', confusing the total city population with district data, and misreads the percentage trend for the other districts in 1800 and 1900. The overview is partially present, but the supporting details lack adequate development and clarity, restricting the response to a lower level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
There is some organisation, but a clear overall progression is lacking. The essay is divided into short paragraphs, but the logical flow between sentences is occasionally disjointed, such as the abrupt transition in the third paragraph starting with 'In comparison'. Cohesive devices are used minimally and sometimes inaccurately or mechanically, like the repetitive use of 'while' and 'in Year'. Referencing and logical relationships between ideas are not always clear, leading to a choppy reading experience that prevents the response from achieving a higher level of cohesion.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is limited but minimally adequate for describing basic data trends. There are noticeable errors in word choice, form, and collocation that occasionally cause difficulty for the reader, such as writing 'Manhattan City' instead of Manhattan, 'population rate' instead of population proportion or percentage, and awkward phrasing like 'the number increased into' or 'jumped in Year 2000 at 81% rate'. The student attempts less common vocabulary, but these attempts are marred by inaccuracies and repetitive language, restricting the lexical range to a basic level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response exhibits a very limited range of structures, relying mostly on simple sentences alongside a few attempts at complex forms that are frequently faulty. There are frequent errors in grammar, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions, such as 'all five districts... was 79,216 person', 'Manhattan population rate increase', and 'from 1800 to 1900, other three districts population increased'. Punctuation and article usage also show persistent issues, including missing articles and incorrect prepositions. These frequent errors cause some difficulty for the reader and reflect a restricted control of grammatical structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.