Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The first table demonstrates the transformation of population in all the districts in three consecutive decades. The above two tables delineate the micro view of flucations happened in the same years distributed with the help of percentage.

Form the first table, we can clearly see the drastic tranformation from thousands to millions in decade 1800 to 1900. Moreover, a notable change was observed from 3 million to 8 million at the end of year 2000. Additionally, the second table elucidates the main district Manhattan which was ranked at the apex in terms of population and contributed 76% in total population. Furthermore, after two decades we noted a gradual incline in 1900 and than decline in the year 2000.

From the last table, a sharp rose in population was seen from decade 1800 to 1900 by combinig all the four districts such as Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island together. By the end of decade 2000, these districts had significant contribution of about 81% in total population ranked as highest.

To wrap up, the population had inclined dramatically from the initial decade and slightly fluctuated by the end.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main broad patterns: New York’s total population rose substantially, Manhattan’s share fell by 2000, and the other four districts came to account for most residents. The figures of 76% and 81% support these comparisons. However, some key details are unclear or inaccurate: the tables show 1800, 1900 and 2000, not “three consecutive decades” or “after two decades.” Manhattan’s population rose to 1,850,093 in 1900 and then fell to 1,538,096, so calling the rise “gradual” misses the scale of the change. The overview that the total “slightly fluctuated” is also misleading, since it increased at both intervals. Report the dates and population figures more precisely, and make the overview reflect the strong overall growth.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction through the total population and district comparisons to a conclusion. Paragraphing helps separate these points, and linking expressions such as “Moreover” and “Additionally” show an effort to connect information. However, progression is weakened by unclear references: “the above two tables” and “the last table” do not clearly identify which data are being discussed, while “these districts” requires the reader to infer the group. Several connectors are also mechanical, and the conclusion repeats the general idea of growth without consolidating the key contrast between Manhattan and the other districts. Organise the body around the total trend and the changing district shares, using clear references and fewer formulaic transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of formal vocabulary, including “transformation,” “notable,” “contributed,” and “significant contribution,” and the general topic remains understandable. However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing tables: “micro view,” “flucations happened,” “ranked at the apex,” and “sharp rose” do not express the intended comparisons clearly. There are also spelling errors, including “Form,” “tranformation,” and “combinig,” and “incline” is not a natural verb for population figures in this context. These noticeable problems limit precision even when the reader can infer your meaning. Prefer standard data-reporting language such as “population increased,” “accounted for,” “share,” and “declined,” and check spelling and collocations carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple statements and longer structures, including “which was ranked at the apex in terms of population” and “By the end of decade 2000, these districts had significant contribution…”. However, complex sentences are not consistently controlled. For example, “The first table demonstrates the transformation of population in all the districts in three consecutive decades” has an unclear time phrase, while “after two decades we noted a gradual incline in 1900 and than decline” has faulty sequencing and an incomplete parallel structure. Articles and prepositions are also sometimes missing or awkward, as in “by the end of decade 2000” and “contribution of about 81% in total population.” Use the exact years in complete, parallel clauses, and check articles, tense consistency and sentence boundaries.

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