Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-14

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 table illustarte 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 like , Manhattan , Brooklyn,Bronx,Queens,staten island over the same period .

Overall, changes in first table shows , New york city ( all five districts) in the year 2000. Manhattan has highest percentage of population in 1800 and 1900. the other four districts became dominant over the period of time .

Firstly, in New york city shows changes in population growth from 1800 to 2000.

In 1800, population has least mark around 79,216, while in 1900's a drastic increased of population has came around 3,437,202 increased ,still after 100 years.In 2000 growth of population has increased at peak form around 8,009,185.

In Manhattan city 60,515 who lived from 79,216 population around 76 percentage in 1800,after that a fall occured in population growth from Manhattan city in 1900 around 54 percentage lived and in 2000 around 19 percemtage fall.

Secondly , in Other 4 districts data remaining is shown in third table , In 1800 , districts from New york city , (brooklyn,Bronx,Queens, Staten island ), population was 18,701 was lived from 79,216 and percentage was low around 24 %. In 1900

around 1,587,109 population increased and total population goes from 46%. In 2000, population growth jump to 6,471,089 and total population percentage increased by 81%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You report the main overall rise in New York City’s population and identify the key shift in the districts’ shares: Manhattan’s proportion fell from 76% to 19%, while the other districts’ combined share rose from 24% to 81%. These are relevant features, and most figures you include match the tables. However, the overview is unclear and partly inaccurate: Manhattan had the largest share in 1800 and 1900, but not in 2000, and the other districts became dominant only by then. The response also gives limited comparison of the absolute populations; for example, Manhattan’s population peaked in 1900 and then declined, a significant feature that is not clearly stated. A more precise overview and clearer reporting of this reversal would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to population figures and then the district data. Sequencing by year also helps readers follow some of the information. However, progression is weakened by unclear or repetitive links, such as “Firstly” and “Secondly” when the sections do not form a clear comparison, and by repeated openings such as “In 1800” and “In 2000.” Several sentences are difficult to follow because ideas are joined without clear relationships, particularly the overview and the sentence beginning “In 1900's a drastic increased.” Use one paragraph for the overall trends, then group the district comparisons clearly, with accurate linking phrases such as “by contrast” and “whereas.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “population,” “percentage,” “increased,” and “fall,” so the reader can identify the subject and broad trends. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, making parts of the report awkward or unclear. Examples include “least mark” for the lowest population, “increased at peak form,” and “population was 18,701 was lived.” There are also spelling and capitalisation errors, such as “illustarte,” “percemtage,” and inconsistent forms of “New York.” Aim for precise language used in data reports, especially verbs for trends and phrases for proportions. Check spelling and avoid repeating “population growth” where “population” or “figure” is more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt both simple and longer sentence forms, and the reader can understand the broad comparison despite the errors. However, control is inconsistent: many sentences contain faulty verb forms, missing or misplaced articles, and unclear sentence construction. For example, “a drastic increased of population has came” has incorrect verb forms, while “In Manhattan city 60,515 who lived from 79,216 population” lacks a clear grammatical structure. Commas and full stops are also used inconsistently, creating run-on or fragmented sentences. Practise writing complete subject–verb sentences, such as “Manhattan’s population rose to 1,850,093 in 1900, then fell to 1,538,096 by 2000.” This will improve accuracy while allowing you to retain more complex comparisons.

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