Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The tables illustrate the overall population of New York City from 1800 to 2000 including all five districts. The population increased significantly over the past two centuries. Manhattan's population rose by more than 54% within 100 years. While in 2000 population in remianing cities dramatically changed according to the Manhattan population.

In 1800 total population is 79216, but out of 60515 individuals are lived in manhattan and rest lived in other four cities. It was largest increased comparing to the rest of districts. Over 100 years in manhattan population increased by 54%. It reach a peak of population at that time. Additionally in 2000 population fall sharply to 19% out of total population. Comparing to 1900 year population fall from more than 30% in Manhattan.

In next table shows there was largest population growth in remaining cities of New York from 1800 to 2000. In 1900 it climbed up to 46% from 24%. Although in 2000 it rose to 81%. Comaparing to the past two centuries this was rapid increase of population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main broad trends: New York City’s total population grew substantially, Manhattan’s share declined after 1900, and the other districts’ share rose. You also include relevant figures such as Manhattan’s 76% share in 1800 and the other districts’ 81% share in 2000. However, some key comparisons are unclear or inaccurate: Manhattan’s population rose from 60,515 to 1,850,093 by 1900, rather than “increased by 54%” (54% is its share of the city total), and it then fell to 1,538,096. The overview also does not clearly report the total population figures or the contrast between Manhattan’s falling absolute population after 1900 and the other districts’ strong growth. Develop these comparisons more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction to Manhattan and then the other districts, and time markers such as “In 1800” and “In 1900” help orient the reader. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow. For example, “It was largest increased comparing to the rest of districts” does not make clear what increased, while “Comparing to 1900 year population fall from more than 30% in Manhattan” leaves the comparison incomplete. Linking phrases such as “Additionally,” “Although,” and “Comparing” are sometimes used mechanically or without a clear relationship between ideas. Organise each paragraph around a clear comparison, and use references that make the subject of each sentence explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “overall population,” “peak,” “sharply,” and “population growth,” so the topic is generally clear. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the intended meaning hard to interpret. “Remaining cities” is not the right description for the other districts, and “largest increased” is not a natural expression. There are also spelling errors such as “remianing” and “Comaparing.” Aim for precise terms such as “districts,” “population share,” and “accounted for,” and check spelling carefully. Avoid repeating general phrases like “population increased” when a more exact description of the figures is available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex forms, including the contrast introduced by “While” and the sentence beginning “Although in 2000.” However, these complex attempts are often incomplete or inaccurately formed, and sentence boundaries are not consistently controlled. For instance, “While in 2000 population in remianing cities dramatically changed according to the Manhattan population” is not a complete, clear clause, and “In 1800 total population is 79216” uses an unsuitable tense for past data. Other examples include “out of 60515 individuals are lived” and “It reach a peak,” where the verb forms are incorrect. Use past-tense reporting consistently and build complete clauses, checking subject–verb agreement, articles, and sentence punctuation.

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

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