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 three charts illustrate how the entire population of New York City and five districts of the city namely, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, changed between 1800 and 2000.
Overall, New York experienced a substantial increase in it's population over time. Additionally, the percentage of total population in Manhattan decreased considerably, whereas the figure for other districts followed an opposite trend.
In the year 1800, the total population of New york city increased from 79,216 in 1800 to 3,427,202 in 1900, before increasing dramatically to 8,009,185 in 2000.
Furthermore, Manhattan accounted for the total population of 60,515 in 1800 taking 76% of the total population. The figure plunged from 54% in 1900 to 19% in 2000, while the figure for other districts increased from 24% to 81% throughout the time. The population numvbe
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
You identify the main overall pattern: New York City’s population grew greatly, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. You also include several relevant figures, including the total in 1800 and 2000 and the percentage shares. However, coverage is partial and some key information is missing or inaccurate: the 1900 total is 3,437,202, not 3,427,202, and the Manhattan population figures for 1900 and 2000 are not reported. The final sentence is unfinished, leaving the comparison of district populations incomplete. The response is also below the required 150 words, which limits the detail available to summarise the tables. Include the missing population comparisons and check figures carefully.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs containing data. Linking expressions such as “Overall” and “Furthermore” help signal the stages of the summary. However, the progression is weakened by repetition: the total population is introduced as increasing, then the same trend is restated with figures. The final paragraph combines several comparisons without clearly separating Manhattan’s population from its percentage share, and the response ends abruptly at “The population numvbe,” disrupting the flow. Organise the details into clearer comparisons—for example, total population first, then Manhattan versus the other districts—and ensure each paragraph and sentence is complete.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You use some suitable task vocabulary, including “substantial increase,” “accounted for,” “plunged” and “opposite trend,” which helps describe change and comparison. However, the range is limited and some choices are imprecise or repetitive: “figure” is used several times without always making clear whether it means population or percentage. There are also noticeable spelling and word-form errors, such as “numvbe” and “it's” where the possessive “its” is needed; these reduce the polish of the report. Aim for precise terms such as “population total,” “proportion” and “share,” and proofread carefully so that vocabulary errors do not distract from the data.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including a complex overview with “whereas” and a time sequence using “before.” Most of the intended meaning is understandable, but grammatical control is uneven. The sentence “In the year 1800, the total population … increased from 79,216 in 1800” repeats the starting date and creates an awkward structure; “increased from … to …” would be clearer without the opening time phrase. The final sentence is incomplete, and punctuation around the list of districts is not well controlled. There are also errors in the possessive form in “it's population.” Practise complete, direct comparison sentences and check sentence boundaries and punctuation before finishing.
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