Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The tables illustrate the proportional distribution of the total population of New York City across its five districts from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, it is clear that in 2000 New York was overpopulated. Four districts registered the highest population, while Manhattan recorded the lowest figure over the same timeframe.

In 1800, total population of city was 79,216, with its highest percentage in Manhattan at 76% containing 60,515 people. Other districts showed only 18,701 citizens with only 24% over the same year. In 1900, city's population rose to about 3,437,202 by representing 54% and 46% in Manhattan and other districts respectively.

By 2000, New York observed significant figures reaching 8,009,185. Brooklyn, Bronx, Queen, and Staten Island accounted for 81% with 6,471,089 individuals. In contrast, Manhattan accounted only 19% of total population over the same period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You report the main population figures and the shift in distribution: Manhattan’s share falls from 76% to 19%, while the other districts’ share rises to 81%. However, the overview is not fully accurate: calling New York “overpopulated” is an unsupported judgement, and saying four districts had the “highest population” is unclear because the table groups them together. The 1900 sentence also makes the percentages sound like they describe the city’s population increase, rather than the shares belonging to Manhattan and the other districts. The response is under the required 150 words, which limits the detail and development. Add a clearer overview and explain that Manhattan’s population rose to 1900 before declining by 2000, while the other districts continued to grow.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and chronological paragraphs covering 1800, 1900 and 2000. This makes the broad sequence easy to follow, and phrases such as “In contrast” help signal comparison. However, the overview does not clearly preview the actual trends, and the 1900 sentence joins the population total to the district percentages in a confusing way. The repeated “In [year]” openings also make the progression somewhat mechanical. Group the information around the contrasting trends—Manhattan versus the other districts—and use clearer references such as “the latter” only when the referent is unmistakable. This would make the comparisons more cohesive and purposeful.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant terms such as “proportional distribution,” “accounted for,” and “in contrast,” showing some range beyond basic vocabulary. Nevertheless, several choices are imprecise or unnatural for describing population data. “Overpopulated” expresses an unsupported judgement rather than a neutral trend, while “observed significant figures” and “with only 24% over the same year” are awkward collocations. “Queen” should be “Queens,” and “citizens” is less suitable than “residents” or “people” in this context. These choices do not prevent the reader from understanding the main figures, but they reduce precision. Prefer neutral reporting verbs such as “reached,” “stood at,” and “accounted for,” and check place names and collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex forms, including the opening clause “Overall, it is clear that…” and the contrast structure “In contrast, Manhattan accounted…”. Most sentences remain understandable, but some grammatical errors and awkward constructions are evident. For example, “total population of city” needs articles (“the total population of the city”), and “In 1900, city's population rose … by representing 54% and 46%” has an unclear grammatical relationship between the rise and the percentages. “Manhattan accounted only 19%” also needs “for” after “accounted.” Review articles, prepositions in fixed verb patterns, and sentence construction when combining totals with percentages. More consistently controlled complex sentences would improve accuracy.

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