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 given tabular representations illustrate the changes in the total number of people in New York City from 1800 to 2000, and another table shows the five different districts' changes in the population.

Overall, it is evident that the population was rapidly increased in different centuries of the city. In addition to this, there were also numerous changes in citizens of various districts of the city.

Initially, in 1800, 79000 inhabitants were present in all five districts, whereas after the century, it was increased by 5 times more than in previous decades. Moreover, in 2000 another spike was found in the total number of residents in all cities.

Furthermore, in Manhattan City, the population of their citizens was 76% of the total number of people in 1800, and in other cities, only 24% of the total public were present. After the century, the ratio of the total number of people was shifted by marginal difference over the same period. On the contrary, in 2000 the Manhattan City population was swiftly decreased, whereas the inhabitants quickly changed their locations and shifted into other cities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the broad pattern of strong growth in New York City and the shift in population share from Manhattan to the other districts. The figures of about 79,000 in 1800 and Manhattan’s 76% share are broadly accurate, and you note that Manhattan’s share fell by 2000. However, key comparisons are unclear or inaccurate: the total population did not increase “by 5 times” from 1800 to 1900; it rose from 79,216 to 3,437,202, then to 8,009,185. The 1900 district shares were 54% and 46%, a substantial difference rather than a “marginal” one. The claim that residents shifted locations is not shown by the tables. Give a clearer overview and report the main figures and trends precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable sequence: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs covering the total population and district shares. Linking expressions such as “Initially,” “Furthermore,” and “On the contrary” help signal movement between points. However, progression is weakened by vague references such as “after the century” and “the same period,” which make it difficult to identify the year being discussed. Some links are also not logical: “On the contrary” does not clearly contrast the preceding point, and the final sentence introduces an unsupported explanation rather than continuing the data comparison. Organise the body around the three years, or compare the total population separately from the district shares, and use precise year references to make the relationships clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of topic vocabulary, including “inhabitants,” “population,” “ratio,” and “districts,” and the meaning is generally understandable. There are, however, several unnatural or imprecise choices that reduce clarity. “The population was rapidly increased” is not a natural way to describe a rise, while “total public” does not mean the total population. “Another spike was found” is also awkward for a table summary, and “shifted their locations” suggests a cause that the data do not establish. Aim for accurate, neutral reporting language and avoid unnecessary synonyms for population. More precise phrases such as “the population rose” and “accounted for” would make the comparisons sound more natural and appropriately academic.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex forms, including clauses with “whereas” and “in addition to this,” and most of the intended meaning can be followed. Some grammatical errors remain. For example, “the population was rapidly increased” uses an incorrect passive form; write “the population increased rapidly.” In “after the century, it was increased,” the pronoun reference is unclear and the verb form is again inaccurate. “The population of their citizens was 76%” also has an awkward grammatical relationship between the subject and percentage. Use clear subjects such as “Manhattan accounted for 76% of the total.” Check verb forms, pronoun references, and sentence structure when comparing figures across years.

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