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 given three tables illustrate the changes in the total population of the New York city and the five districts of the city such as Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island. The data pertains to a time period between 1800 to 2000. Overall, the highest population in New york is in the year 2000 around 8,00,9,185 while the lowest population was in the year 1800.

On a cursory look, it becomes evident that in the year 1900 the population increased to 3,437,202. Moreover, the highest figure of population was in the year 2000 at almost 8,009,185.

Furthermore, Manhattan had the greatest population in the year 1800 around 76%. In comparison, Manhattan experienced a dramatic decline in population during the year 1900 at approximately 54% and 19% in 2000 .

Eventually, other districts such as Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island underwent with an increase in population in the given years. For instance, in the year 1800 the population was 24% and by 1900 it increased to 46%. Similarly, in the year 2000 it raised to nearly 81%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the broad pattern accurately: New York City’s total population rose from its lowest point in 1800 to about 8 million in 2000, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share grew. The figures for the district percentages are also reported correctly. However, the overview focuses on the highest and lowest totals rather than clearly summarising the key contrast between Manhattan and the other districts. Some important detail is underdeveloped: Manhattan’s population actually rose from 1800 to 1900 before falling by 2000, a change obscured by describing its “decline in population” across the period. Include the actual population figures as well as percentages to make comparisons more informative and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable introduction, overview-like statement, and separate paragraphs for Manhattan and the other districts. This gives the reader a basic structure, and transitions such as “In comparison” and “Similarly” help signal relationships. However, progression is not consistently clear: the second paragraph repeats the total-population peak already mentioned in the introduction, while the overview does not bring the main district contrast together. Some linking phrases feel mechanical or imprecise, including “On a cursory look” and “Eventually.” Organise the report around an overview followed by focused comparisons, and avoid repeating the same total figures so each paragraph adds a distinct feature.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “dramatic decline,” “highest figure,” and “underwent with an increase,” and the meaning is generally clear. However, some choices are unnatural or imprecise for describing statistical data. “Underwent with an increase” is not a natural collocation, and “raised to nearly 81%” should be expressed with a verb such as “rose.” “Cursory” also suggests a superficial examination and is not a suitable way to introduce a data observation. Capitalisation is inconsistent in “New york,” and the number formatting “8,00,9,185” is incorrect. Aim for precise, conventional reporting language and consistent presentation of names and figures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, for example, “Moreover, the highest figure of population was in the year 2000…” and “In comparison, Manhattan experienced…”. Most of the intended meaning remains understandable, but some grammatical errors and awkward constructions reduce accuracy. In the opening, “the total population of the New York city” needs a more natural article and noun phrase; “between 1800 to 2000” uses the wrong preposition pattern; and “Manhattan experienced a dramatic decline in population during the year 1900 at approximately 54%” has an unclear structure linking the year and percentage. Check article use, prepositions, and sentence construction, and make sure each comparison clearly identifies what changed and when.

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