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 three tables below described the fluctuation in total population of New York city among different districts in the city Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx , Queens , staten Island over the 3 different years 1800, 1900 and 2000.

overall, the population of New York city was comparatively high than others. In 2000 the population was very high than in 1800 , and 1900 years.

By looking at the second table the population of Manhattan decreased significantly in 2000 which was just 19% but in 1900 and 1800 population was much increased.

Third table showed data which was tottaly opposite to Manhattan. Other districts like Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island boombed with the passage of year. In 1800 the population was 24% which increased steadily meanwhile, In 1900 and 2000 population went up to 46% and 81%.

I concluded that from above given tables the larger number of population in New york city among all districs which increased considerably

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad contrast between Manhattan and the other districts, noting Manhattan’s share fell to 19% while the other districts’ share rose to 81%. However, the overview is unclear: “the population of New York city was comparatively high than others” does not explain the main change, and the response omits the city’s total population figures and the actual district-group populations. The statement that Manhattan’s population “decreased significantly in 2000” needs qualification: it fell from 1,850,093 in 1900 to 1,538,096 in 2000, after rising substantially from 1800. The response is also five words below the required minimum of 150, so it does not fully meet the task’s requirements. Include a precise overview and support it with key figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic sequence: an introduction, an overview-like statement, and comments on Manhattan and the other districts. Phrases such as “By looking at the second table” and “Third table showed” help signal the topic of each section. However, the progression is not consistently clear because the overview does not establish the main trends, and the final sentence repeats a general claim rather than drawing the comparisons together. Linking is sometimes mechanical, as in repeated references to the tables, while “meanwhile” does not clearly connect the figures that follow. Organise the response around a clear overview, then compare the two population groups across the three years, using accurate references and transitions to show how their trends relate.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing change, including “decreased significantly,” “increased steadily,” and “boombed with the passage of year.” These attempts show awareness of the language needed for a table summary. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or informal, such as “comparatively high than others,” “very high than,” and “tottaly opposite.” Spelling and capitalisation errors, including “staten Island,” “New york,” and “districs,” also reduce precision. Choose standard collocations for comparisons and trends, and use neutral academic wording. For example, describe a share as rising or falling, and distinguish clearly between population totals and percentages rather than using “population” for both.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response uses mostly simple sentence patterns, with a few attempts to combine ideas using “which,” “but,” and “meanwhile.” Meaning is generally recoverable, but frequent errors in sentence construction and verb forms make parts difficult to follow. For example, “The three tables below described” uses an unsuitable tense, while “Third table showed data which was tottaly opposite” has an unclear clause structure. The final sentence, “I concluded that from above given tables the larger number of population…,” is also incomplete or awkwardly formed. Articles, punctuation, and sentence boundaries need more consistent control. Practise writing complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check tense and punctuation before adding more complex clauses.

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