Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The table illustrates the changes in total number of people in Newyork city between 1800 and 2000.it is also provides information about the population of different cities namely(Manhattan , Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) during the same period.

Overall, it is clear that the total population increased considerably over the period, the most significant growth occurred between 1900 and 2000, while other cities except Manhattan had the highest population. in the year 1800 total population in newyork city all five districts stood at 79,216. the figure then increased dramatically to 3,437,202 in 1900 . by the 2000 it had reached 8,009,185 , representing a substantial increase over the period.

looking at the individual districts Manhattan had the highest figure recorded in 1800 , at the approximatly 76% , while other districts recorded 24%. in comparison 1900 other districts substantially increases 46% while number of population of Manhanttan dropped 54%. meanwhile, in 2000 population of other districts stepped up 81 %. while Manhanttan dropped to 19%

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by presenting an overview and reporting the main features and trends from the tables. You selected relevant data, noting the overall population growth from 1800 to 2000, particularly highlighting the significant surge between 1900 and 2000, and compared Manhattan with the other districts in terms of population percentages. However, some ideas are under-developed or slightly imprecise in their expression, such as the statement that 'other cities except Manhattan had the highest population,' which is a slightly confusing phrasing of the district data. To reach a higher level, you should ensure all comparative statements are completely clear, fully supported by exact figures, and free from any confusing generalisations.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is a coherent overall arrangement to your writing, with a clear attempt to structure the response into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs focusing on different aspects of the visual data. Progression is visible, moving logically from the total population figures to the district breakdown. However, cohesion is sometimes faulty and mechanical. There is a lack of proper punctuation between sentences, with several sentences running together or beginning with lowercase letters, such as 'it is also provides' and 'in comparison 1900 other districts substantially increases'. Paragraphing is also somewhat basic. To improve, you should employ a wider range of cohesive devices more accurately and ensure strict control over sentence boundaries and punctuation.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common words and phrases such as 'substantional increase', 'dramatically', and 'individual districts'. However, there are noticeable errors in word choice, word form, and spelling that reflect a limited level of precision. For instance, you wrote 'Newyork city', 'Manhanttan', and 'approximatly', and used awkward collocations like 'other districts substantially increases 46% while number of population of Manhanttan dropped 54%'. Some verbs and grammatical forms are misused as vocabulary items, affecting the flow of ideas. To achieve a higher band, you need to use a wider range of less common vocabulary with greater accuracy and check your spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writing demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, showing an attempt to report comparative data. However, there are frequent errors in grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Many sentences lack capitalization at the beginning (e.g., 'it is also provides', 'in the year 1800', 'looking at the individual districts') and periods at the end, leading to run-on structures. There are also errors in verb tenses and prepositions, such as 'by the 2000 it had reached' and 'at the approximatly 76%'. These errors persist throughout the text, though they rarely impede overall communication. To move higher, you need to produce more error-free sentences, maintain better control over complex structures, and pay close attention to punctuation and capitalization.

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

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