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 first given table provide data of total population change in the New York city and the other two tables illustrate changes in the number of population in five different districts from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, population in New York city increased rapidly as time passes. Moreover, Manhattan had the highest propotion in 1800 than all other districts.

To begin with, in New York city there were only 79,216 individuals. this population had a significant icrease after 100 years. However, in 2000 all five districts population dramatically increased. In addition to this, Manhattan population was 60,515 in 1800 represented ratio of 76%. In contrast to all other districts, there were lowest ratio comprised of 24% only.

Furthermore, in 1900 total population of Manhattan was 1,850,093, while other districts had only 1,587,109 of total population. In 2000, Manhattan polutaion was 1,538,096, whereas the total poulation of all other five districts accounted for 81%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad rise in New York City’s population and highlight Manhattan’s changing share, which are relevant main features. Several figures are also reported accurately, including the 1800 population and Manhattan’s 1900 total. However, the overview is incomplete: it does not state that the city’s total population reached 8,009,185 by 2000, or that Manhattan’s population fell between 1900 and 2000 while the other districts grew substantially. The comparison that Manhattan had the highest proportion in 1800 is valid, but the final sentence gives the other districts’ 81% share without their 2000 population of 6,471,089. Also, “all other five districts” is inaccurate because the comparison group contains four districts. Select and compare the key changes more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs presenting details. Linking expressions such as “In contrast” and “Furthermore” help signal comparisons. However, progression is not consistently clear. The first detail paragraph moves from the city’s 1800 figure to a vague statement about later growth, then to Manhattan’s 1800 share; the 1900 and 2000 comparisons appear later without a clear organising pattern. Some links are also imprecise: “In addition to this” does not clearly show how the Manhattan figure relates to the preceding point, and “However” introduces no genuine contrast. Grouping the figures chronologically and using direct comparisons between Manhattan and the other districts would make the information easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “population,” “ratio,” “increased,” and “accounted for,” and you attempt to vary expressions rather than repeat one verb throughout. However, the range is limited and several word-choice, collocation, and spelling errors reduce precision. “Highest proportion” is more natural than “highest propotion,” while “number of population” is awkward; use “population” or “population figures.” The phrase “there were lowest ratio comprised of 24% only” is difficult to interpret, and “all other five districts” mislabels the comparison group. Spelling slips such as “icrease,” “polutaion,” and “poulation” are noticeable. Aim for accurate, conventional language for describing figures and shares.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a few complex structures, including “while” and “whereas” comparisons, and the main meaning is generally recoverable. However, grammatical control is inconsistent, with errors in agreement, articles, sentence construction, and punctuation. For example, “The first given table provide” needs a singular verb, and “in New York city” should be integrated into a complete, correctly punctuated sentence. The sentence beginning “In contrast to all other districts” is structurally awkward and does not clearly identify what has the lowest share. Capitalisation after a full stop is also missing in “this population.” Build accuracy first with clear simple sentences, then use controlled comparison clauses such as “whereas the other districts’ share rose to 81%.”

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