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 first table ilustrate the informition about total population changes of New York city during 1800 to 2000 and the second and third table provide us informition population difference the five districts of New York.

In 1800 the total population of New York is 79216 and the three fourth of population live in only one distric Manhattan however rest one fourth population livde in other four districs.In 19th century population increases about three times and the the population decreases in Manhattan distric on the other hand rest four districts population rises.The population almost has been became equal in compitative districts.Others four districts contain 80 percent out of hundred.It is really an unexpectationly rise in population.In 20th century New York total population has been reached to [redacted phone].In that ages much people left the Manhattan district.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad pattern that New York’s population grew and that Manhattan’s share fell while the other districts’ share rose. However, the response only partially covers the data: it gives the 1800 and 2000 city totals but omits the 1900 total, and it does not clearly report the key comparison that Manhattan’s population itself rose to 1,850,093 in 1900 before falling to 1,538,096 by 2000. “Population increases about three times” is inaccurate: the total rose from 79,216 to 3,437,202 between 1800 and 1900, far more than threefold. The overview is also unclear, and “almost ... equal” does not accurately describe the 2000 split of 19% versus 81%. The response is 16 words below the required minimum. Include the main figures and describe each period precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic chronological sequence, moving from 1800 through the nineteenth century to 2000, and contrast markers such as “however” and “on the other hand” show an attempt to connect comparisons. However, the response is presented as one paragraph, so the overview and supporting details are not clearly separated. Several links are difficult to follow: “In 19th century population increases about three times and the the population decreases in Manhattan” combines changes across different periods, while “The population almost has been became equal in compitative districts” has an unclear reference. Repetition of “population” and abrupt transitions also limit progression. Use a short overview followed by organised details for 1800–1900 and 1900–2000, and make each comparison’s subject explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant task vocabulary, including “total population,” “district,” “increases,” “decreases,” and “percent,” so the main topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several spelling, word-form, and collocation errors make the account less clear: “ilustrate,” “informition,” “distric,” “unexpectationly rise,” and “population difference” are inaccurate or unnatural. Phrases such as “three fourth of population” and “out of hundred” are also not idiomatic ways to report proportions. Aim for precise chart language and check spelling carefully. For example, use “accounted for” when describing a share and “declined” for a fall; avoid vague expressions such as “much people left” when the table only shows population figures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt to connect ideas in longer sentences, for example with “however” and “on the other hand,” but the range of sentence structures is limited and these attempts are often faulty. Errors in tense, agreement, articles, and sentence construction occur frequently: “The first table ... changes” should use a plural verb, “In 1800 the total population ... is” needs a consistent past tense, and “the population almost has been became” combines incompatible verb forms. Missing articles and unclear clause boundaries also make some sentences difficult to interpret. Practise accurate simple past forms for historical data first, then add controlled complex sentences using “while” or “whereas.” Check that each sentence has a clear subject and a correctly formed verb.

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