Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-07

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 illustration depicts a tabel showcasing alteration in the sum up population of new york city from 1800 to 2000. However, another two tabels depicts the demographic shift of the residents of the five districts of the city(Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) throughout the same period of the time.

Overall, it is clearly visible that as the time flies, the total residential growth was increased in the new york city and manhattan dominated the year of 1800 and 1900 while other districts were accounted for highest population in 2000.

Scrutinizing deeper into obtainable information, it is evident by looking the first tabel that the population increased by 3,357,986 people (surging from 79,216 to 3,437,202) from 1800 to 1900 and in the entire 200 year span there was a dramatic change in population surging from 79,216 to 8,009,185 showcasing an inclined graph by 7,929,969 people.

Digging deeper into the second and third graph, Manhattan only the district with 3,448,704 population count and it is 2 fold than population of other districts in year 2000. Manhattan dominated the year 1800 and 1900 with 76% and 54% of population respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad rise in New York City’s population and note the shift from Manhattan’s dominance to the other districts by 2000. However, the account only partially covers the data and includes a major factual error: Manhattan’s 2000 population was 1,538,096, not 3,448,704, and it was the other districts—not Manhattan—that had roughly twice as many residents. The overview also says Manhattan dominated in both 1800 and 1900, but by 1900 its share was only 54%, compared with 46% elsewhere. You report the total-population changes accurately, but omit the 2000 figures and the clear rise in the other districts’ share. Select the key comparisons and check each figure against the table.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs presenting details. This helps the reader follow the general topic, and phrases such as “Overall” and “Digging deeper” signal movement between sections. However, progression is weakened by repetition of the same population-growth idea and by the final paragraph’s abrupt, incomplete opening, “Manhattan only the district with…”. The discussion also moves from total figures to district shares without clearly connecting the comparisons, and the incorrect 2000 statement makes the final point confusing. Use a clear sequence—overall trend, then district changes—and link each comparison explicitly to its year and population share.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a varied range of vocabulary, including “demographic shift,” “surging,” and “dominated,” and the topic is generally understandable. However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing tables: “sum up population,” “residential growth,” “obtainable information,” and “inclined graph” do not express the intended meanings precisely. “Tabel” is also repeatedly misspelled, and “graph” is not the right label for the tables. These noticeable word-choice and spelling problems reduce precision, especially in a data-reporting task. Prefer standard, accurate terms such as “total population,” “population increased,” “the figures show,” and “rose,” and check spelling before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt longer sentences and subordinate clauses, for example, “as the time flies, the total residential growth was increased,” but complex constructions are often faulty. There are recurring problems with articles, agreement, and sentence structure: “another two tabels depicts” should use a plural verb, while “Manhattan only the district with…” is missing a verb and does not form a complete sentence. The phrase “in the entire 200 year span there was…” also needs clearer grammatical framing and punctuation. These errors sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. Build accuracy with shorter, complete sentences first, then add complex clauses; check subject–verb agreement, verb forms, and sentence boundaries.

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