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 table chart depict the changes came into the population of New York from 1800 to 2000 and how population was divided into the 5 different areas of New York.

Overall, there was a big increase came in the population size of New York and firstly most of the citizens prefer to live in the manhatton but after the time they were settled in the other region.

Firstly, in the 1800, the population size of New York is 79216 in which 76% pecent of population live in the Manhattan and other remaing population live in the other areas of New York. In the 1900, the population size of New York were increased to [redacted phone] individuals in which 54% population lives in the Manhattan still higher than the combine population of other districts which is 46%.

Secondly, there were a big increase came in the population size of New York and total population of New York was [redacted phone] in thn 2000. [redacted phone] individuals live in the Manhattan which is 19% of the population which was decreased as compare of last century but in 2000 citizens prefer to live in the other areas of New york.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall pattern: New York’s population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. The figures you give for the city total and Manhattan are accurate, and the comparison between Manhattan and the combined other districts in 1900 is relevant. However, the account is less complete because it does not report the other districts’ population figures, especially their sharp rise to 6,471,089 in 2000. The statement that Manhattan’s 54% share was “higher than the combine population” is also unclear: it was higher than the other districts’ share, not their population. Develop the overview with the key reversal by 2000 and make comparisons more precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs arranged chronologically. “Overall,” “Firstly,” and “Secondly” help signal the stages, and the reader can follow the broad movement from 1800 to 2000. However, the linking is somewhat mechanical, and the repeated claim that the population increased does not advance the comparison. Some references are unclear, particularly “which is 46%,” where it would be clearer to name the other districts’ share. Grouping the figures by the changing balance between Manhattan and the other districts, rather than relying mainly on year-by-year sequencing, would create a more purposeful progression. Use explicit comparisons to connect the data across periods.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant topic vocabulary such as “population,” “districts,” “percentage,” and “citizens,” so the main subject is generally clear. However, the range and control of phrasing are limited, with repeated expressions such as “population size” and “big increase came.” Several choices are inaccurate or awkward, including “the table chart,” “prefer to live,” and “settled in the other region”; these make the description sound less precise than a data report should. Spelling errors such as “manhatton,” “pecent,” and “remaing” also reduce accuracy. Aim for concise reporting language and vary it appropriately—for example, describe population figures as “rose,” “accounted for,” or “represented” a share.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “in which” and a contrast introduced by “but.” The main information is usually recoverable, but some errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction reduce accuracy. For example, “the table chart depict” needs a singular verb, while “the population size … were increased” has incorrect agreement and an awkward passive form. Tense also shifts between past and present in descriptions of historical data (“is 79216” and “live”). Some long sentences combine several figures without clear grammatical control. Practise consistent past-tense reporting and build comparisons in shorter, well-punctuated sentences before adding subordinate clauses.

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