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 illustrates the changes in the population of whole New York city from 1800 to 2000 while other two tables provides numeric data about population of their five districts and also measured in percentage throughout the same period. Following are the district names : (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island)

Overall, it is evident that, New York population increased substantially over the period. If we look it district wise then Manhattan had the highest figure initially and then experienced a decline whereas other districts in the beginning are less populated then surged later.

In New York City(all five districts), in 1800, the overall population was 79216 and from this 60515 people are from Manhattan district measured 76% while 18701 are from other districts accounted for 24%. In 1900, population surged to [redacted phone] in which [redacted phone] peoples are from Mahattan which holds 54% share however, other districts had [redacted phone] residents(46%).

Laslty, in 2000, the total population of New York escalate to [redacted phone] and from that [redacted phone] peoples are from Manhattan which becomes 19%. Other districts population increased significantly to [redacted phone] which represented 81% highest proportion among all five states.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main overall pattern: New York’s population grew greatly, Manhattan was initially the largest district, and the other districts later became dominant. You also include relevant figures and percentages for all three years. However, the account is not fully accurate: in 2000, the other districts had 6,471,089 residents, not “64771089,” and the total was 8,009,185. The overview could also state the key comparison more precisely: Manhattan’s population rose to a peak in 1900 before falling, while the other districts grew continuously. Some details are presented as a sequence of figures rather than being clearly selected and compared, so the main features are only partly developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs covering the data chronologically. This gives the reader a generally coherent route through the information. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “In 1900” and “Lastly” help signal the stages. However, some connections are mechanical or unclear: “If we look it district wise” does not smoothly introduce the comparison, and “from this” and “from that” make the relationships between totals and district figures less precise. The final paragraph also combines the city total, Manhattan’s share and the other districts’ population in a crowded sentence. Use clearer topic sentences and more direct comparisons to improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “surged,” “accounted for,” “share,” “decline” and “proportion.” These choices help describe change and distribution. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “measured in percentage,” “highest proportion among all five states” and “population … escalate.” “States” is also unsuitable for the city’s districts, and “Mahattan” is misspelled. Repetition of “population” and “districts” makes the description less flexible. Aim for precise terms such as “percentage of the city’s population,” “boroughs” or “districts,” and “rose to” or “reached” when reporting figures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a contrast with “whereas” and a clause introduced by “in which.” However, errors are frequent, and some sentence structures are difficult to follow. For example, “the first table … while other two tables provides” has article and subject–verb agreement problems; “Manhattan had the highest figure initially and then experienced a decline whereas other districts … surged later” needs clearer parallel structure. Verb forms are also inconsistent, as in “the total population … escalate” and “people are from Manhattan” when describing past data. Plural forms and punctuation need attention too. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and divide long sentences into shorter, controlled comparisons.

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

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