Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-11

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 table blow illustrates changes in the total population of new york City between 1800 and 2000. The second and the third table demostrates changes in the population of the five districts of the city.

Overall, polulation significantly moved to New York City and the population of the Manhattan decreased gradually.

In the year 1800, the overall population the New York City was 79,216, the manhattan population was at its peak which 60,515 and in the other districts the poplulation was at it lowest level was 18701 which was 24 percent. In the year 1900, after a century the population of the New York surged up to 3,437,202, in the same year the polulation of the Manhattan decreased 22 percent which was remained 54 percent population and in other districs the population was climed 22 percent went up to 46 percent. In the year 2000, the popualtion of the New YOrk City was significantly climed that wa 8,009,185 and the same year the population of the manhattan decreased which was remained 19 percent and in ther districs was was increased went close to 81 percent.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main time points and report the overall growth of New York City, alongside the changing balance between Manhattan and the other districts. The figures for the city total and the district percentages are generally accurate, and the shift from Manhattan’s 76% share to 19%, while the other districts rise from 24% to 81%, is relevant. However, the overview is unclear: “population significantly moved to New York City” does not accurately describe the data, which show population growth rather than movement. You also say Manhattan’s population decreased gradually, although its absolute population first rose substantially before falling by 2000. Clarify the distinction between population totals and percentage shares, and develop the key comparison more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has an introduction, an overview and a chronological account, so the reader can identify the broad structure. The repeated time markers “In the year 1800,” “In the year 1900” and “In the year 2000” help signal the sequence. However, most of the detailed information is compressed into one long paragraph, and the repeated year-by-year pattern makes the progression mechanical. Some links between ideas are difficult to follow, particularly “which was remained 54 percent population” and “in ther districs was was increased.” Use separate paragraphs for the overview and details, and group related comparisons—for example, Manhattan’s share against the other districts’ share—rather than repeating the same sentence pattern for each year.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing change, including “surged up,” “decreased” and “increased,” and you include terms such as “overall population” and “percent.” However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or awkward. “Population significantly moved to New York City” suggests migration, which the tables do not show, while “at its peak” is misleading because Manhattan’s population was higher in 1900. Repeated forms such as “climed” and “popualtion” also make the writing less clear. Aim for precise reporting language and check spelling carefully. Alternatives such as “rose,” “accounted for” and “share” would help you describe totals and proportions more accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences that compare figures across years, but control is limited, especially in the longer constructions. Examples include “the overall population the New York City was,” which is missing a preposition, and “which was remained 54 percent population,” where the verb construction and sentence structure are faulty. There are also errors with articles, capitalization and agreement, as in “the manhattan population” and “the population … was climed.” These problems sometimes make relationships between figures hard to understand. Build shorter, complete sentences first, then add comparisons using controlled clauses such as “while” or “whereas.” Check verb forms and sentence boundaries during revision.

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