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)

We have three tables illustrate the changes in the total of population of New York City between 1800 and 2000 , The first table demonstrate how poulation changed for all the five districts, while the second table given a proportion of the total population of one district Manhattan and the last table of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.

Overall, the population in New York City significantly increased throughout the period, the other districts also rose noticeaby. Whilst Manhattan disctric shown a decline in the total population from 1900 to 2000.

Manhattan region was the largest population in New York City in 1800 by 60.515 to record 76 percent of the total population in the city compared to the others districts which has 18.701, 24 percent of the total population in the four districts in the city. After that, in 1900, the other distrcis , Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island dominate in the number of population [redacted phone] , 46 percent, almost the half of the total populaion compared to just aboce the half og the total population 54 percent in Manhattan district. In 2000 the other districts rose dramaticly to 81 percent o

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main overall pattern: New York City’s population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. Several figures are also reported accurately, including Manhattan’s 60,515 residents and 76% share in 1800, and the other districts’ 81% share in 2000. However, the response does not complete its final comparison: it ends at “81 percent o” and omits the corresponding population of 6,471,089. The total-city figures from the first table are not reported, and the 2000 Manhattan figure and its 19% share are also missing. The overview is relevant but limited, and some comparisons are difficult to follow. Select the key figures for all three years and finish the account of the final year.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph comparing the districts across the years. Time markers such as “in 1800,” “in 1900,” and “In 2000” help signal the sequence. However, progression is weakened by long, crowded sentences that combine several figures and comparisons, particularly the sentence beginning “After that, in 1900.” Some linking is awkward or unclear, as in “compared to just above the half of the total population,” and the final sentence is cut off, leaving the account without a clear ending. Organise the details into shorter, more focused comparisons and use clear references to distinguish Manhattan from the other districts.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “proportion,” “decline,” “dominate,” and “rose dramatically,” and the reader can generally identify the intended comparisons. However, the range is limited and several noticeable spelling and word-choice errors reduce clarity: “poulation,” “noticeaby,” “disctric,” and “populaion.” Some phrases are also unnatural, such as “the total of population” and “the largest population … by 60.515.” Use standard data-reporting collocations and check spelling carefully. For example, “population of the city” and “had the largest population, at 60,515” express the information more naturally and precisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast introduced by “Whilst” and comparisons across years. However, errors are frequent and sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. For example, “The first table demonstrate” has subject–verb disagreement, while “Manhattan disctric shown a decline” uses an incorrect verb form. The opening sentence also joins clauses with a comma and has an unclear structure. Articles and plural forms are inconsistent, as in “one district Manhattan” and “the others districts.” Aim first for accurate, complete sentences: use “The first table demonstrates,” “Manhattan showed a decline,” and separate the table description into clearly punctuated clauses.

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