Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The first Chart shows the changes of total population of New York city in the year 1800 to 2000.

In the year 1800 the population of all five districts are 79216 but in the year 1900 the number of population increases significantly [redacted phone] huge upgrade in the population, However in the year 2000 the number of population rises 8.09 millon .

On the other hand other districts of New York city like Brooklyn ,Bronx ,Queens and staten island also increased in the year 1800 24% of total population increased. in the year 1900 significant number of population increased almost 46% . the main changes are developed in the year 2000 the total percentage of population increased 81% .

Finally , number of population increased by time line every year a huge number of population increases. from 1800 to 2000 the number of population increased from 18k to 6 million .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad rise in New York City’s population and note that the other four districts gained a much larger share by 2000. However, the response only partially reports the tables: it omits Manhattan’s figures and its declining share, a key contrast with the growth elsewhere. Some figures are also imprecise or misrepresented: 1800’s total is written as “79216” without clear formatting, and “8.09 million” is not the stated 8,009,185. The claim that the population increased “every year” is unsupported because the tables show only three dates. To strengthen the summary, give a clear overview comparing Manhattan’s rise and subsequent decline with the continuing growth of the other districts, and select accurate figures to support it.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic sequence from the citywide total to the other districts and then a concluding statement, so the reader can identify the general subject of each section. However, the progression is not consistently clear: the opening paragraph moves between years without well-formed comparisons, and the second paragraph begins “On the other hand” even though it does not establish a clear contrast with the preceding information. The final paragraph repeats the growth point rather than synthesising the main trends. Linking phrases such as “However” and “Finally” are used, but connections between ideas are often mechanical or unclear. Organise the response into a brief overview followed by focused comparisons, and use linking expressions only where the relationship between the data is clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses some relevant vocabulary, including “total population,” “percentage,” “increased,” and “significantly,” which helps communicate the topic. However, the range is limited and several choices are repetitive or imprecise. “Huge upgrade” is not a natural way to describe population growth, while “the main changes are developed” does not clearly express a trend. Repeated use of “number of population” also shows weak collocation; “population” or “population figure” would be more appropriate. Spelling and presentation issues, including “millon” and inconsistent capitalisation of place names, further reduce control. Aim for precise trend language and vary it appropriately, for example, “rose sharply,” “declined,” and “accounted for.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentence forms, but control is uneven, and errors in sentence structure and agreement sometimes make the data difficult to follow. For example, “the population of all five districts are 79216” has a subject–verb agreement problem, while “in the year 1800 24% of total population increased” does not form a clear grammatical statement. The sentence beginning “However in the year 2000” is also joined awkwardly to the previous clause, and punctuation around transitions is inconsistent. Most sentences rely on basic patterns, with limited accurate use of complex structures. Practise forming clear comparisons with controlled clauses, such as “While Manhattan’s population fell after 1900, the other districts continued to grow.”

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