Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-15

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 illustrates, changes in the total polution of New York city from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the highest change in population among all five districts in New York at 2000 years. Manhattan was the highest changes in 1800 year and lowest in 2000 year. while, other four cities, the largest changes accounted in 2000 and lowest accounted by 1800 year.

To commence with,the highest changes of population, all five districts in New york city during 2000, at 8,009,185. Second most changes in population in the 1900 year , which accounted by 3,437,202.Moreover, the lowest rate pf change population in 1800 year, which was 79,216.

Manhattan was the highest percentage of total population, which modify at 76% in 1800 year and population was accounted by 60,515. In 1900 and 2000 both respectively accounted by percentage of total population was 54% and 19%.

Other four cities, the highest percentage of total population was 81% in 2000 year. In contrast, the lower amount of percentage was 24% in 1800.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall pattern: New York City’s population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share increased. The figures you give for the city total and the percentages are consistent with the tables, and you compare the beginning and end of the period. However, some features are less fully reported: Manhattan’s population rose from 60,515 to 1,850,093 by 1900 before declining to 1,538,096 in 2000, but this important change is not clearly described. The other districts’ population also grew markedly, yet you report only their percentage shares. Clarify that the tables group four districts together, rather than calling them “four cities,” and make the overview more precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and separate paragraphs for the total population, Manhattan and the other districts. This helps the reader locate the main comparisons. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear, and several linking expressions are either awkward or do not show the intended relationship. For example, “Second most changes” and “Moreover” introduce figures without a clear comparison, while “while” begins a fragment after a full stop. The overview also repeats ideas that are then restated in the body. Group related figures into a clearer chronological comparison and use linking words only where they accurately signal contrast, sequence or addition.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary such as “population,” “percentage” and “accounted,” and you attempt to describe change and comparison. However, the range is limited and several repeated or inaccurate expressions make the report less precise. “Changes” is repeatedly used where “population” or “increase” is needed, and “highest changes” is not a natural collocation. “Other four cities” mislabels the districts, while “polution” is a spelling error and changes the meaning of the opening sentence. Aim for accurate, varied terms such as “population total,” “share,” “rose,” “declined” and “the four remaining districts.” Check spelling and collocations carefully so that your vocabulary communicates the data clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including clauses with “which” and contrasts introduced by “while” and “in contrast.” Some sentences communicate the intended figures, but grammatical control is uneven. For example, “Manhattan was the highest changes” lacks a suitable noun phrase and verb construction, and “the highest percentage … which modify at 76%” has an incorrect verb form and an unclear clause. There are also problems with articles, sentence boundaries and punctuation, as in “while” after a full stop and missing spaces after commas. Build accurate basic comparison sentences first, then add subordinate clauses; check subject–verb agreement, tense consistency and punctuation.

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