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 fluctutations in the total population of New York City, while the second and third tables depict variations in the population of the five districts of the city between 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the population of all five districts increased signficantly throughout the period. Manhattan recorded the highest population compared with Other districts.

New York City Population stood at 79216 in 1800, before further rising to [redacted phone] in 1900 and [redacted phone] by 2000. Manhattan recorded the largest proportion of population with 76% of the total compared with Other districts which accounted for 24% only in 1800.

In 1900 Other districts popluation figure jumped dramtically from 24% to 46% of the total population, whereas Manhattan population also considerably grew just over a half of the total. Furthermore, Other districts population percentage reached a

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the overall rise in New York City's population and include several accurate figures, such as 79,216 in 1800 and 8,009,185 in 2000. However, the response addresses the tables only partially: it stops during the discussion of 2000, so the major shift by then—other districts reaching 81% and Manhattan falling to 19%—is not reported. The overview also says Manhattan had the highest population compared with the other districts, which is not true by 2000; it was highest in 1800 and 1900, but not in 2000. The response is 118 words, below the required 150, and this limits the detail and comparisons provided. Complete the final comparison and ensure the overview reflects the full period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs containing data, and linking expressions such as “while,” “whereas” and “Furthermore” help connect points. However, progression is incomplete: the final sentence ends at “reached a,” leaving the discussion unfinished and the 2000 district figures unaddressed. The overview’s claim that Manhattan had the highest population throughout also conflicts with the later trend implied by the tables, weakening the logical development. Some connections are repetitive or imprecise, and the response does not clearly organise the district comparisons across all three years. Use a complete final paragraph and arrange the information chronologically, explicitly contrasting Manhattan’s declining share with the other districts’ growth.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “total population,” “proportion,” “accounted for” and “jumped dramatically,” and the meaning is generally understandable. There are, however, noticeable spelling errors in “fluctutations,” “signficantly,” “popluation” and “dramtically.” Some choices are also imprecise: “fluctuations” suggests repeated rises and falls, whereas the city’s total population rose steadily, and “Manhattan recorded the largest proportion of population” would be clearer as “accounted for the largest share.” The phrase “Other districts” is capitalised inconsistently and could be defined more naturally as “the other four districts.” Check spelling carefully and choose vocabulary that describes the specific trend accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including a complex opening with “while” and a contrast using “whereas,” and most of the intended meaning can be followed. Some grammatical patterns are not fully controlled. In the introduction, “between 1800 to 2000” should be “between 1800 and 2000” or “from 1800 to 2000.” In “Manhattan population also considerably grew just over a half,” the possessive/article pattern and the relationship between the growth and the share are unclear; for example, write “Manhattan’s population also grew, and it accounted for just over half of the total.” The final sentence is incomplete, ending with “reached a,” and extra spaces around punctuation interrupt the presentation. Proofread sentence boundaries and use complete, clearly formed comparisons.

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