Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-09

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 first table illustrates the growth of population in New York City between 1800 and 2000. The second and third table shows variation in the population rise rate of five districts of the city over the same duration.

Overall, New York City population increased in both centuries but their percentage of growth varied significantly. During nineteenth century it rose notably although it dropped in twentieth century population. In Manhattan district population growth figure continuously decreased. In other districts population increased sharply.

In New York city popluation was very little at the start of 18th century with just 79,216 people. But it increased in short time and reached the number 3,437,202.

The growth rate of population in New York city was decreased in 20th century.

Most of the population of New York City was in Manhattan city at the start of 18th century but it's percentage dropped with the time because others districts population was increasing rapidley. Manhattan was 76% of New York City's population in 1800 but it reached to 19% by the end of 2000.Other districts took the lead during the 20th century with 81% part of New York City.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad trends: the city grew overall, Manhattan’s share fell, and the other districts became more prominent. You also include several accurate figures, such as the total of 79,216 in 1800 and the change in Manhattan’s share from 76% to 19%. However, key information is incomplete or unclear. The account omits the 2000 total of 8,009,185 and Manhattan’s actual population figures, and it does not clearly report that Manhattan’s population rose to 1,850,093 in 1900 before falling to 1,538,096 in 2000. The statement that population “dropped in twentieth century” is misleading: the city’s total continued to rise, though growth was slower than in the previous century. A more precise overview and fuller comparisons would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, beginning with an introduction and overview before moving to details, and the contrast between Manhattan and the other districts gives the reader a basic organising idea. However, progression is uneven: the overview repeats that population increased, while the body gives the 1800 and 1900 totals but then returns to a general statement about the growth rate without explaining the 2000 figures. Linking phrases such as “But” and “because” are used, but connections between claims are sometimes unclear, particularly in “it increased in short time” and “others districts population was increasing rapidly.” Group the total-population figures together, then compare Manhattan with the combined other districts, using clear references and transitions to guide the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing change, including “increased,” “decreased,” “dropped,” and “sharply,” so the main trends are generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several expressions are imprecise or awkward for describing statistical data. “Population rise rate” and “growth figure” do not clearly distinguish population size from percentage share, while “took the lead” is informal and vague in this context. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “popluation” and “rapidley,” and phrases such as “with 81% part” are not natural. Choose precise terms such as “population,” “share,” and “proportion,” and check spelling and collocations when editing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, for example, “Manhattan was 76% of New York City’s population in 1800 but it reached to 19% by the end of 2000.” However, errors occur frequently and sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. The opening says “the second and third table shows,” where the plural subject requires “tables show.” Other problems include “New York City population” without a possessive or article, “During nineteenth century,” and “it reached to 19%,” where the verb pattern is incorrect. Tense and sentence construction also need attention in “it increased in short time and reached the number.” Practise accurate articles, agreement, and verb patterns, then proofread each sentence for a clear subject and verb.

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