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 foremost chart demonstrates the transformation of entire population of New York City beginning from 1800 till 2000; meanwhile, two other tables provide the alteration in population in five different areas throughout the same period.

Overall, number of inhabitants increase dramatically in New York city in two decades. Manhattan in initial years contributed as the most populated city; however, its figures decreses by the time to ninetheen percent. Comparatively population in other four districts rose gradually.

In 1800, Manhattan served as the highest populated district of New York City providing shelter to approximately 60,515 people or 76%. Nevertheless, by 2000, the population transformed over the period and dwindle to 19% only. In contrast, this area still contributed the majority compare to other 4 districts.

Whereas, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten island kept in alteration in 20 years. Firstly, around 18,701 or 24% individuals survived in these towns in 1800. Over the time, population presevered changing and had been growing to 46% also 1,587,109 in year 1900. By the end of the period the overall population was 81% also 6,471,089.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad population shift: Manhattan’s share falls while the combined share of the other districts rises, and you include several accurate figures, such as 60,515 and 76% in 1800 and 6,471,089 and 81% in 2000. However, the overview is unclear and contains a major misreading: Manhattan was not still the majority in 2000; its 19% share was far below the other districts’ 81%. The response also omits the total city population figures and does not clearly report that Manhattan’s population rose to 1,850,093 in 1900 before declining to 1,538,096 in 2000. Develop a precise overview and compare the three years using the most significant figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to paragraphs about Manhattan and the other districts. Time markers such as “In 1800,” “by 2000,” and “By the end of the period” help readers follow the chronology. However, progression is weakened by unclear links and awkward transitions. “Whereas” begins a paragraph without a contrasting main clause, while “Firstly” does not introduce a clear sequence. Some references are also confusing: “this area” is understandable, but “these towns” is an imprecise reference to the four districts. Organise the body around clear comparisons between 1800, 1900, and 2000, and use linking expressions only where their logical relationship is clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of vocabulary, including “transformation,” “contributed,” “gradually,” and “in contrast,” and the main topic remains understandable. However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing population data. “The foremost chart” and “kept in alteration” do not express the intended meaning clearly, while “served as the highest populated district” is an awkward collocation. There are also spelling errors, including “decreses,” “ninetheen,” and “presevered.” Prefer precise, conventional language for trends and proportions, and check spelling carefully. For example, describe a population share as rising or falling, rather than saying it “kept in alteration.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple and more complex forms, including a contrast clause beginning “however” and a sentence starting “Although” is not present; the “Whereas” construction shows an attempt to link ideas, but it is incomplete as written. Errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction occur throughout. For example, “number of inhabitants increase” needs an article and a past-tense verb, and “its figures decreses” has incorrect agreement and tense. The sentence “Manhattan served as the highest populated district … providing shelter” also has an awkward grammatical relationship between its clauses. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and complete contrast structures, while retaining your attempts to combine ideas.

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