Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The growth of total population in New York City is represented in first table from 1800 to 2000. For the same period growth in population in five districts of the city namely Manhattan,Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and States Island is shown.

First table represents an overall growth in New York City Population. It illustrates significant growth in population over the years as population has increased from 79,216 in Year 1800 to 3,437,202 in year 1900. Which represents more than 100% growth rate.Similary it has recahed to a number of 8,009,185 in year 2000.

Second table demonstrates the population and percnatge of total population belong to the Manhattan districts. It represents population growth in terms of numbers, but decrease in percentage of total population over the years.

Third table illustrates population in terms of numbers and in terms of percentage of total population in other districts over the years. In other districts percentage of total population is increased significantly from year 1800 to year 2000.

The percentage of total population is increased in other districts as compared to Manhattan so as the numbers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad pattern correctly: New York’s total population rose substantially, Manhattan’s share declined, and the other districts’ share increased. You also include the key total figures for 1800, 1900 and 2000. However, the account is only partly developed because it gives little precise comparison of the district populations. For example, Manhattan’s population rose to 1,850,093 in 1900 before falling to 1,538,096 in 2000, while the other districts grew to 6,471,089; these contrasting changes are central features that are not reported. The statement that the total population increased by “more than 100%” is technically true but understates the scale of growth. A clearer overview and more accurate, selective comparisons would strengthen the summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable sequence: it introduces the tables, discusses the total population, then turns to Manhattan and the other districts. This gives the reader a basic framework, and phrases such as “over the years” help signal time. However, the progression is repetitive and the final sentence largely repeats the point about the other districts’ growing share without adding a clear comparison. The paragraphs also read as separate descriptions rather than a connected summary, and references such as “Second table” and “Third table” make the organisation depend on the table layout. Grouping the main trends together—for example, contrasting Manhattan’s decline after 1900 with the continued growth elsewhere—would create clearer progression and more effective cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “population,” “percentage,” “growth” and “districts,” so the main subject remains understandable. However, the range is limited and several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “growth in terms of numbers,” “percentage of total population belong to the Manhattan districts,” and “increased significantly.” Repetition of “represents” and “illustrates” also makes the description less flexible. There are noticeable spelling errors, including “Similary,” “recahed,” “percnatge” and “States Island,” which reduce the accuracy and polish of the vocabulary. Use standard terms such as “population share” and “accounted for,” and choose verbs that describe the data precisely, such as “rose,” “fell” and “declined.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response communicates its basic meaning, but sentence structures are mostly simple and several attempts at longer sentences are faulty. For example, “Which represents more than 100% growth rate” is a sentence fragment, while “First table represents” and “Second table demonstrates” omit the article needed before “first” and “second.” The phrase “The percentage of total population is increased” uses an incorrect verb construction; a direct past-tense form would be more suitable for describing the completed period. Commas are also missing in the opening list of districts, and punctuation around sentence boundaries is sometimes awkward. Practise combining accurate simple sentences with controlled clauses, and check articles, verb forms and sentence completeness during revision.

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