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 first table illustrates the difference in the total inhabitants of new york city from 1800 to 2000 and second and third data chart represents the transform population of the five districts of the city over the same years.

To elaborate the first table , the community of new york city in period of 1800 was 79216 which went increase dramtically increased by 34,37,202 after completed a one century while in year 2000 the residences climb to 80,09,185 which was good in all the five district population.

Now moving toward second and third table, in Manhattan the population percentage was 76% which was more than other four districts in year 1800. After completed 100 year the percentage in manhattan was 54 % and other four districts ratio was 46 %. In period of 2000, the percentage of manhattan was lowest than other districts .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the broad rise in New York City’s population and note that Manhattan’s share fell, which are relevant features. However, the response reports the figures unclearly: “went increase dramtically increased by 34,37,202” does not accurately express the change, and the 2000 population is written in a confusing format. The key comparison that Manhattan’s population itself fell from 1,850,093 in 1900 to 1,538,096 in 2000 is omitted; the other districts’ growth to 6,471,089 is also not reported. The final statement only says Manhattan’s percentage was lowest, without giving the 19% figure or the other districts’ 81%. The response is 128 words, below the 150-word minimum, and the limited coverage leaves the task only partially addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall sequence: it first discusses the city total, then moves to the district tables. Paragraphing helps distinguish these topics, and phrases such as “To elaborate” and “Now moving toward” signal a transition. However, progression within the paragraphs is limited, and the comparisons are not developed in a clear order. The first paragraph’s wording makes it difficult to follow the change from 79,216 to 3,437,202 and then to 8,009,185. The final paragraph also shifts between Manhattan’s share and the other districts’ share without completing the comparison for 2000. Use clearer linking and reference, and organise the figures chronologically with a direct comparison at each date.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-related vocabulary, including “population,” “percentage,” “districts,” and “dramatically,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations make the meaning unclear. “Difference in the total inhabitants” is not a natural way to describe a change in population, while “the residences climb” uses the wrong noun for people. “Transform population” and “ratio” are also imprecise in this context. Spelling and capitalisation errors, including “dramtically” and “new york,” further reduce accuracy. Aim for standard data-reporting language and check spelling; precise terms such as “population rose,” “accounted for,” and “share” would make the comparisons clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including a time clause beginning “while in year 2000,” but control is inconsistent. For example, “which went increase dramtically increased” contains an incorrect verb construction, and “after completed a one century” lacks a correctly formed clause. Articles and prepositions are also often missing or awkward, as in “in period of 1800” and “in year 2000.” The sentence about Manhattan’s percentage in 2000 is incomplete in meaning because it does not state what it was lower than in a fully clear comparison. These errors sometimes make the data difficult to interpret. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and simpler sentence patterns before adding complex clauses.

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