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 table illustrate the growth of the population in New york across the five district city specially contrasting Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island over the two century period from 1800 to 200.

Overall, the total population of new york city experienced massive growth over the 200 years of period. While Manhattan initially held the vast majority of the city residents its demographic share drastically decrese by 2000 as the other districts became heavily populated.

Firstly, in 1800 New york city had a total population of just 79,216. Manhattan accounted for that 76%, for 60,515 people, while the other district made up the remaining 24%, 18701 people, by the 1900, the citys overall population grew exponetially to nearly 3.44 milion. During this time Manhattan population grew to over 1.85 millions, but its proportion fell to 54% while the other district expaneded significantly to represent 46%^ of the total.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main overall pattern: New York’s population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s share declined as the other districts gained importance. The figures you give for 1800 and 1900 are broadly consistent with the tables. However, the report stops before describing the 2000 data, which is essential to the task: the city reached 8,009,185 people, Manhattan fell to 1,538,096 (19%), and the other districts rose to 6,471,089 (81%). This omission leaves the comparison incomplete, and the final point in the trend is not reported. The response is also one word below the required minimum. Include the 2000 figures and explain how they confirm the shift away from Manhattan.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph presenting earlier figures. Sequencing from 1800 to 1900 is generally logical, and transitions such as “Overall,” “Firstly,” and “while” help signal relationships. However, the report ends abruptly after the 1900 comparison, so the progression through the full period is incomplete. The long final sentence also joins several separate facts with commas, making the relationships harder to follow. Use separate sentences or clearer linking to distinguish the city’s total growth from the changing district shares. A complete final paragraph or sentence about 2000 would give the report a more balanced and coherent progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “accounted for,” “proportion,” “demographic share,” and “expanded,” and the meaning is generally understandable. There are, however, noticeable spelling and word-form errors, such as “decrese,” “exponetially,” “milion,” and “expaneded.” Some expressions are also imprecise or awkward: “growth of the population … specially contrasting” and “the other district” do not describe the data naturally. Prefer accurate, conventional collocations such as “population increased” and “the other districts.” Check spelling carefully and use “share” or “proportion” consistently when discussing percentages. These improvements would make the vocabulary more precise and easier to read.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including a contrast clause beginning “While Manhattan initially held…” and a comparison using “while.” However, errors in sentence construction and punctuation are frequent enough to affect clarity. The opening sentence has subject–verb disagreement (“The table illustrate”), and the final paragraph contains a comma splice joining several independent clauses. There are also problems with articles and number forms, as in “the other district made up” and “over 1.85 millions.” Capitalisation and apostrophes are inconsistent in “new york” and “citys.” Use complete sentences, check singular/plural agreement, and punctuate each comparison clearly. More accurate control of these basic patterns would make the complex sentences easier to follow.

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.