Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-12

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 tables enlist data about human population of New york city collectively and in two groups, one of district nanhattan and other collectively for left four districts named brooklyn, bronx, queens and staten island), over three decades, 1800, 1900 and 2000.

Overall, in last decade the polulatio was significantly increased as compared to first and second decade. Surprisengly, only one district nanahattan has shown the highest increase in the population in all three decades, while all other left four has less increase in their population.

In the period of 1800 to 1899, Total population was79216 which was distributed as: population of nanhattan was 60515, accounting for 76%, while other four districts have 18701 individuals, accounting for 24% of total population. In the second dacade total polulation of city substantly increased into [redacted phone], which was distributed as: nanhattan accounted for 54% which comprised of [redacted phone] individuals, and other four districts were at 46% containing [redacted phone] individuals.

The last and most increasing decade has [redacted phone] individuals, which is more than twice of last decade, First decade was at 19 % while all other at 81%. so a change was swwn in

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad pattern that New York City’s population grew substantially and report several relevant figures for Manhattan and the other districts. However, the overview is not accurate: Manhattan did not show the highest increase across the period, as its population fell from 1,850,093 in 1900 to 1,538,096 in 2000. The strongest overall feature is that the city’s total population rose, while the other four districts’ share increased from 24% to 81%. The 1900 total is also misreported as 34,372,020 rather than 3,437,202, and the final comparison is incomplete. Select the main trends accurately and explain the contrast between Manhattan and the other districts more clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has an identifiable introduction, overview and chronological account, and the figures are generally grouped by year. However, progression is weakened by unclear or repetitive phrasing such as “which was distributed as” in both body sections. The overview’s comparison is difficult to follow, and the final sentence stops at “so a change was swwn in,” leaving the report unfinished. Some linking is also awkward: “The last and most increasing decade” does not clearly connect the population figure to the change in district shares. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and key comparisons, and make each paragraph develop one clear point with accurate references.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt some task-appropriate vocabulary, including “accounting for,” “distributed” and “substantially increased,” and use terms such as “population” and “districts” relevantly. However, spelling and word-choice errors are frequent and sometimes make the meaning harder to understand: “polulatio,” “Surprisengly,” “nanahattan,” “dacade” and “swwn” are examples. Several expressions are also unnatural, including “left four districts,” “last decade” for the year 2000, and “most increasing decade.” Use precise, conventional language for data description, and check spelling carefully. Avoid calling the districts “left”; “the other four districts” is clearer and more appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt longer sentences with clauses and figures, for example, “which was distributed as: population of nanhattan was 60515,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in sentence structure, agreement and articles occur throughout: “all other left four has less increase” should use a plural subject and a clearer comparison, while “total population was79216” needs appropriate spacing and article use. The final sentence is incomplete, and punctuation around the figures and clauses is often unreliable. Most sentences are understandable in context, but these frequent errors can make relationships between the data difficult to follow. Practise accurate simple comparisons first, then combine them using controlled relative clauses.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.