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 first table show us the increase in population of New York City commutative of five districts.While the second table indicates about the fluctuation of population only in Manhattan and third table tell us about the population of four remaining districs seperatly than Manhattan.

Table shows that population increase from 1900 to 2000 were significantly high in overall New York City.Furthermore the two table shows the increase in population seperatly and in Manhattan and other four districts.In Manhattan there were a fall in popuation percentage especially it droped sharply in [redacted phone] era.

As the first table tell us only about the population of 20 decades of the New York City between [redacted phone].The population of NewYork were 79216 in 1800 and increase to [redacted phone] in 1900.After that the population boosted and in 2000 the population was [redacted phone].

Furthermore table two shows only about the Manhattan It shows also the percentage of that population.In Manhattan in 1800 the population was 60515 with 76% of that time.Then there were increase in population but not that much, in 1900 It had [redacted phone] people with 54% and then sharply drops in 2000 the percentage drops to 19% with the poplistion of [redacted phone].

while the third table represent the data of other 4 districts, In other districts the figures continously increase like in 1800 it had 18701 people with 24% and this values increase to [redacted phone] people to 81% in 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad trends: New York City’s total population rose substantially, Manhattan’s share declined, and the other districts’ share increased. You also include several relevant figures. However, some key details are inaccurate or incomplete. Manhattan’s population rose from 60,515 in 1800 to 1,850,093 in 1900, then fell to 1,538,096 in 2000; your account gives 1,538,096 for both 1900 and 2000. You also say the other districts’ population increased to 6,471,089 in 2000 but omit their 1900 figure, and the overview does not clearly compare the contrasting population changes. Report the main stages accurately and distinguish population totals from percentages to make the summary more complete and reliable.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details about the total population, Manhattan, and the other districts. Time markers such as “in 1800,” “in 1900,” and “in 2000” help readers follow the data. However, progression is weakened by repetition: the opening paragraphs repeat that the tables show population changes, and “Furthermore” is used to introduce information that does not always add a clear new point. Some references are also unclear, such as “the two table” and “this values.” Organise the overview around the main contrast, then use one focused paragraph for the city total and one for the district comparison, with clearer links between ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “population,” “percentage,” “increase,” “fall,” and “sharply drops.” This gives the reader a basic understanding of the trends. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “commutative of five districts,” “fluctuation” for a table showing changes over time, and “the population boosted.” Spelling errors, including “districs,” “seperatly,” “popuation,” and “continously,” are noticeable and reduce precision. Aim for standard data-reporting collocations and check spelling carefully. For example, describe a population as “rose” or “increased,” and say that a share “declined” rather than that it “drops” when reporting past data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “While” and “After that,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in agreement and sentence formation appear in “The first table show us” and “the third table represent,” while “the population of NewYork were” has incorrect agreement. Several sentences are joined or punctuated poorly, particularly “In Manhattan in 1800 the population was 60515 with 76% of that time.Then there were increase…”. Capitalisation after full stops is also inconsistent. These errors sometimes make relationships between figures difficult to follow. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, articles, and past-tense reporting, and separate each main comparison into a complete sentence with clear punctuation.

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