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 first table illustrate the modifications in the New York City starting from 1800 to 2000.In 1800 the population was about 79,216 as we can see that in 1900 the residents grown up and approach to high about 3,473,202 although, in 2000 the population became more high and cross the 1900 population and reached almost 8,009,185.The second and third table demonstrates the years, population and it's percentages.
In Manhattan,the district of new York,the population was about 60,515 in 1800 and it's percentage was 76%.in 1900 the residents was about 1,850,093 and it's percentage reached 54% and in the year 2000 the population decreased from 1900 and came to 1,538,096 and the percentage was 19.The third table shows the population of further district of New York their percentage and population was same.In 1800 the population was about 24,in 1900 the population was increased and became 1,587,109 and percentage was about 46%.
In 2000 the population became more high and reached to 81%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5
The response addresses the task only partially, presenting some key figures from the tables but failing to provide a clear, well-supported overview of the main trends. While the student attempts to mention population figures for New York City, Manhattan, and the other districts across the years 1800, 1900, and 2000, some data points are inaccurate or poorly expressed, such as the claim that 'the population was about 24' for the other districts in 1800, misinterpreting the 24% figure. The information is presented in a fragmented manner without a fully developed comparison between Manhattan and the remaining districts, which limits the overall effectiveness of the response.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5
There is some basic organisation in the response, but it lacks a clear overall progression. The essay is divided into paragraphs separating the citywide data from the district data, but the transitions between ideas feel mechanical and abrupt. Cohesive devices are used minimally and repetitively, with excessive reliance on chronological markers like 'In 1800', 'in 1900', and 'in the year 2000'. Furthermore, referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the logical development of comparisons between the different districts over time.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is limited and barely adequate for the task. The student attempts to use less common items related to data reporting, but this results in frequent inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'modifications' instead of 'changes' or 'trends', and 'grown up and approach to high' instead of 'increased significantly'. There are also minor spelling and word-formation errors that do not severely impede communication, but the vocabulary remains repetitive and lacks the precision required for academic writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response demonstrates a limited range of sentence structures, relying mostly on simple sentences joined by basic conjunctions. Attempts at complex sentences are frequently faulty, leading to run-on sentences and punctuation errors, such as missing spaces after periods and commas (e.g., '2000.In 1800', 'Manhattan,the district'). There are frequent errors in verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions, such as 'the residents grown up', 'the population became more high', and 'percentage was same', which can cause some difficulty and strain for the reader.
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