Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The first table illustrates the fluctuation in population of New York City bteween three centuries ([redacted phone]) in all five districs. The second and third tables depicts the population of five districts in a city within the same period separately..

Overall, it can be seen clearly that Manhattan is the only district accounter for higher proportion of population, while at the end of the period it has dramatic decline in population. Other four districts have combined ratio with incresed pattern all over the period.

In 1800, Manhattan totall community was 60,515 at 76% and other four attain 18,701 people at 24% whereas, in 1900, the whole population comprises of 3,437,202 individuals which has 54% population from Manhattan and 46% from others which is actually double from the last century. In 2000, the highest peak of population has attained but it has the greatest part of p[opulation from other four districts at 81% rather than Manhattan, as it hasonly 19% of its share. Brooklyn, Bronx. Queens, Staten Island comprises maximum in 2000 which is double than in 1900.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main contrast: Manhattan’s share falls while the combined share of the other districts rises, and you include relevant figures for 1800 and 2000. You also report the city’s total population in 1900 and note that the other districts account for 81% by 2000. However, the overview is not fully accurate: Manhattan was not the district with the higher proportion throughout the period, since the other districts together reached 81% in 2000. The description also omits the total population figures for 1800 and 2000, and the claim that the other districts’ population “is double than in 1900” is unclear and inaccurate; their population rose from 1,587,109 to 6,471,089. Select and compare the key changes more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and a paragraph of figures, and it generally moves from the earlier years to the later ones. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “In 1800” and “In 2000” help signal this progression. However, the overview’s contrast is difficult to follow because “Manhattan is the only district accounter for higher proportion” does not clearly explain the changing shares. The final sentence is also disconnected from the preceding comparison, and the repeated use of “whereas” and “which” makes some relationships between figures unclear. Organise the body around the changing population shares, and use clearer references to distinguish the city total from the district totals.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt a range of task-related vocabulary, including “proportion,” “combined ratio,” “dramatic decline” and “highest peak.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing tables, which sometimes makes the intended meaning harder to understand. For example, “fluctuation” suggests repeated rises and falls, whereas the city’s population increases across the three dates; “attain” is not suitable for describing population figures; and “highest peak” is redundant. Spelling errors such as “bteween,” “districs,” “incresed” and “p[opulation” are also noticeable. Aim for precise, familiar reporting language and check spelling carefully; terms such as “rose,” “accounted for” and “share” would suit these comparisons.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple statements and attempts at longer sentences, including a comparison beginning “whereas” and a clause introduced by “which.” These attempts show some range, but several sentences contain errors in agreement, articles or sentence construction. For example, “The second and third tables depicts” should have a plural verb, while “Manhattan totall community was 60,515” does not form a clear grammatical description. The long sentence beginning “In 1800” also joins several comparisons in a way that obscures how the figures relate. There is an extra full stop after “separately,” and spacing around punctuation is inconsistent. Use shorter, controlled comparisons and check subject–verb agreement and sentence boundaries.

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.