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 tabular chart represent individual's population of new york district between 1800 and 2000.Another tables compare alterations in the population of five places in the cities during the same time period.

overall, it is clear that the population in 2000 was more over the given time period.Moreover, the figure was completely opposite for 1800.

To begin with,in 1800 the population rate was 79,216.The figure of 1900 was [redacted phone] which was almost double than the figure of 2000.In the Manhattan,76 percent population in 1800, followed by 54 percent in 1900. The figure of 2000 reached at 19 percent which was lowest.

Moving towards the remaining steps,in other district, Brooklyn, Bronx,Queens,and Staten Island this figure for 1800year was 24percent,which was 22 percent half than the figure of 1900.Finally,81 percent population of 2000 which was highest throughout the given time period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the broad rise in New York’s population and note the changing shares of Manhattan and the other districts, so the response is relevant to the tables. However, the overview is vague: “more over the given time period” does not clearly describe the overall growth or the shift in population distribution. There is also a major factual error: 3,437,202 in 1900 was not almost double the 2000 total of 8,009,185. The response gives percentages but little comparison of actual district populations, and “22 percent half” misstates the change from 24% to 46%. The required minimum of 150 words is not met. Develop a clear overview and accurately compare the key figures and trends.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic structure, moving from an introduction and overview to two body paragraphs, and signposts such as “To begin with” and “Moving towards” help indicate the sequence. However, progression within the paragraphs is not always clear: the discussion shifts between the city total, Manhattan’s share and the other districts without consistently explaining how the figures relate. Some linking phrases are awkward or inaccurate, particularly “followed by” when describing percentages across years and “Finally” before the 2000 figure. Improve cohesion by grouping the overall population figures together, then comparing Manhattan with the combined other districts, using clear references and transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-related vocabulary, including “population,” “figure,” “district” and “percentage,” and attempt to vary expressions with “To begin with” and “Moving towards.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations make the meaning unclear. “Tabular chart represent individual's population” is not an appropriate description of the data, while “population rate” and “remaining steps” do not fit the context. “More over” is also incorrectly formed, and “22 percent half” is not a clear way to express the comparison. Use precise terms such as “total population,” “share of the city’s population,” and “accounted for,” and check spelling and spacing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, including “The figure of 2000 reached at 19 percent which was lowest,” but the range is limited and errors recur. The opening has subject–verb agreement and article problems (“The tabular chart represent”), and the overview sentence lacks a clear grammatical construction. Other examples include “In the Manhattan” and “which was lowest,” where article use is incorrect, as well as missing spaces after commas and full stops. The sentence about the 1900 and 2000 totals is also difficult to follow because its comparison is not expressed clearly. Practise accurate sentence patterns for reporting figures, including “The population rose from X to Y” and “Manhattan’s share fell to X%.”

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