Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-13

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 provides information about changes in the overall pouplation of New York City from 1800 to 2000, while the other tables provide the information about changes in population of the five districts of New York City.

The overall population of New York City are rose dramatically by 2000 and lower significantly by 1800.

In the District of Manhattan, the population fluctuated from 1800 to 2000, while in the other districts, populations rose dramatically over the same year.

The percentage of the overall population in Manhattan district dropped significantly from 76% to 19% between 1800 and 2000. Additionally, the overall population rose dramatically from 24% to 81% between 1800 and 2000 in the districts of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.

In conclusion, the population of New York City rose dramatically from 1800 to 2000 and fluctuated in the Manhattan district while in other districts, the population rose significantly over the same year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad changes and make relevant comparisons, especially the shift in Manhattan’s share from 76% to 19% and the other districts’ rise from 24% to 81%. However, the response is under the required 150 words: it contains 146 words, with eight words copied from the prompt excluded from the count. More importantly, it omits the actual population figures and gives an unclear overview: saying the city’s population “lower significantly by 1800” reverses the time sequence, and “fluctuated” does not accurately describe Manhattan, which rose to 1,850,093 in 1900 before declining to 1,538,096 in 2000. Include key figures and describe the main trends precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable sequence: an introduction, statements about the overall and district trends, and a concluding sentence. Linking words such as “while,” “Additionally,” and “In conclusion” help signal relationships between points. However, the organisation is repetitive, as the conclusion largely restates the same claims without adding a useful summary. The overview and supporting details are also not clearly separated, and the progression is weakened by the unclear phrase “lower significantly by 1800.” Group the main overview in one paragraph, then compare the figures in a separate paragraph, using references such as “this share” or “the remaining districts” clearly and consistently.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “overall population,” “percentage,” “dropped significantly,” and “rose dramatically,” so the topic is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several expressions are repeated, particularly “rose dramatically” and “significantly.” Some word choices are imprecise: “fluctuated” suggests repeated rises and falls, whereas Manhattan’s population first increased and then decreased; “over the same year” is also unsuitable for a period spanning a century. There is a spelling error in “pouplation.” Use more precise trend language and vary your descriptions—for example, distinguish a sharp increase from a later decline, and refer to changes “over the period” rather than “over the same year.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses joined with “while” and “Additionally,” and the main ideas can usually be followed. However, errors in verb forms and agreement are noticeable. In “The overall population … are rose,” the subject does not agree with the verb and the verb form is incorrect; “the population of New York City rose” would be grammatical. “The population … dropped” is correctly formed, but “the overall population rose … in the districts” creates an unclear grammatical relationship between the subject and location. Articles and prepositions are also inconsistent, as in “in Manhattan district.” Aim for accurate subject–verb patterns and check each sentence’s tense and subject, especially when comparing multiple places.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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