Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-08

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 first table illustrate the information about changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables demonstrate changes in population of the five distracts of the city over the same period.

Initially, the first table shows the population of all five distracts of New York City by years, in 1800 the total population of the city is 79,216. By the passage of time, after 100 years the population increased upto 3,437,202 in year 1900 and not stopped yet, its gradually increased upto 8,009,185 by year 2000 which is a massive difference as compared to past years.

Moreover, the second table demonstrate the population of Manhattan city which is quiet higher than other cities. In 1800, the population of Manhattan city is about 60,515 which is 76% of total population, after 100 years in 1900 tghe population increased upto 1,538,093 which is 54% of the total population and in 2000 it decreased to 1,538,096 which is only 19% of the total population.

Furthernore, the third table illustrate the percentage of other distracts which is quiet low as compared to Manhattan city which is only 24% by year 1800, 46% by year 1900, However, by year 2000 it is increased upto 81% od total population which is a big difference in past 100 years.

Overall, in 1800 the Manhattan city hold the most population of the city about 76% and by year 2000 other cities hold the most population about 81% which is higher then Mnhattan city in the past years.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad pattern: New York’s total population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share grew. The final paragraph gives a relevant overview of the shift from Manhattan’s 76% in 1800 to the other districts’ 81% in 2000. However, coverage is only partial because some key figures are misreported: Manhattan’s 1900 population was 1,850,093, not 1,538,093, and its population then fell to 1,538,096 by 2000; the response instead says it increased to the 1900 figure and then decreased to the same 2000 figure. The description of the other districts also gives percentages but little population comparison. Report the main changes accurately and distinguish population totals from shares.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from the total population to Manhattan, the other districts, and a concluding overview. Paragraphing helps the reader identify these topics, and transitions such as “Moreover” and “Overall” signal movement between points. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear: the Manhattan figures are presented in a sequence that makes the rise and subsequent fall difficult to follow, especially because the 1900 value is inaccurate. Linking phrases such as “By the passage of time” and “Furthernore” are either awkward or repetitive, and the conclusion largely repeats earlier information rather than synthesising the overall contrast. Organise each paragraph around a clear comparison and use accurate references to the years and groups.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “population,” “percentage,” “increased,” and “decreased,” so the main subject is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several noticeable word-choice, spelling, or collocation problems make the report less precise. “Distracts” is used instead of “districts,” “quiet higher” should be “quite high,” and “hold the most population” is not a natural way to describe a group’s share. Phrases such as “a massive difference” and “big difference” are vague and repeated. Choose precise terms such as “accounted for,” “share,” “rose,” and “declined,” and check spelling carefully. This would make comparisons clearer and more appropriate to an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including clauses linked with “which” and time expressions such as “after 100 years.” However, grammatical errors are frequent, and some sentences are difficult to follow. Subject–verb agreement is inconsistent: “The first table illustrate” and “the second table demonstrate” need singular verbs. Tense and sentence construction also need attention: “the population … is 79,216” should use past tense, while “and not stopped yet, its gradually increased” is not a well-formed clause. Articles and number agreement are also unreliable, as in “the Manhattan city hold.” Practise writing shorter, controlled past-tense comparisons first, then combine them using accurate clauses and punctuation.

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