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 table illustrates the data of changes in the total population of new york city from 1800 to 2000. While the other tables are show the percentage of five districts including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island of new york city over the same period.

Overall, the population of new york city is increased over the period, all the cities are increased the population of total percentage, expect the Manhattan which is decreased over the time.

In New York city the population are incresed over the time in 1800 it was 79,216, in 1900 3,437,202 and in 2000 it went to 8,009,185. In contrast the districts which are rose dramatically over the time period in 1800 the population was 18,701 which is 24%, In 1900 the population was 1,587,109 which is 46% and lastly in 2000 the population was 6,471,089 which is 81%.

Meanwhile, the Manhattan city was decreased over the period by percentage and increased by population, in 1800 the total percentage was 76%, in 1900 it decreased by 54% and lastly in 2000 it decreased by 19%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main overall change: New York City’s population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share grew. Several figures are accurately reported, including the city totals and the other districts’ populations and percentages. However, the overview is imprecise: “all the cities are increased the population of total percentage” does not clearly distinguish population from percentage, and the other districts are grouped together rather than described as a combined category. The final paragraph also says Manhattan’s population “increased by population,” although its population rose to 1900 and then fell by 2000; only its percentage declines at both stages. Clarify these trends and compare the 1900 and 2000 figures to make the key features more complete and accurate.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and separate paragraphs for the combined districts and Manhattan. Time markers such as “in 1800,” “in 1900” and “lastly in 2000” help readers follow the data. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes awkward, and several links are inaccurate or mechanical. For example, “In contrast” does not clearly signal the relationship between the city total and the other districts, while “Meanwhile” introduces Manhattan without establishing a clear comparison. The overview’s reference to “all the cities” also makes the grouping difficult to follow. Use clearer topic sentences and connect each comparison explicitly, distinguishing the citywide total from the district groupings.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “population,” “percentage,” “period” and “dramatically,” and the reader can generally identify the figures being discussed. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which sometimes obscures meaning. Phrases such as “the data of changes,” “the districts which are rose” and “increased by population” are not natural ways to describe the information. “All the cities” is also unsuitable because the figures concern districts and a combined group of districts, not separate cities. Aim for precise reporting language such as “the population stood at,” “accounted for” and “the combined population of the other districts.” Check spelling and capitalisation of “New York City” and “increased.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt a range of sentence forms, including an opening clause beginning “While” and sentences that compare figures across years. However, control is inconsistent, and errors in basic sentence construction and verb forms frequently make the writing awkward. For example, “the other tables are show” combines two verb forms, while “the population of New York City is increased” uses an incorrect passive-like construction. Subject–verb agreement is also problematic in “the population are incresed,” and the sentence “the districts which are rose dramatically” is not grammatically complete. Practise using simple, accurate patterns first: “The population increased from X to Y,” and “Manhattan’s share fell from X% to Y%.” Then add comparisons while checking tense, agreement and punctuation.

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