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 how the population of New York City changed across five districts from 1800 to 2000.
Overall, the population rose dramatically over the period with other districts witnessed the highest percentage over the period, while Manhattan experienced downward trend with the least percentage across all districts.
In 1800, New York City's total population was 79,216 which increased substantialy to 3,437,202, before reaching to 8,009,185 in 2002 with Manhattan stoodout alone consisted of 60,515.
In 1800, Manhattan's percentage of total population consisted of 76% while other districts consisted of 18,701 with percentage only 24%. However, in 1900 all the five districts experienced an increase in the population Manhattan rose to 54% with 1,850,093 population and other districts saw a significant rise to 46%. However at the end, Manhattan's population decreased dramatically to 19%. Other districts overtook Manhattan with 81% population with 6,471,089 figuers over the period.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You identify the main overall contrast: New York’s total population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. Several key figures are also reported accurately, including the 1800 and 1900 totals and the 2000 population of the other districts. However, the overview is unclear in saying the other districts had the “highest percentage,” and the 2000 total is incorrectly given as 2002. The response also omits the actual 2000 population for Manhattan and does not clearly compare the absolute population figures across the period. At 147 words, it is three words below the required minimum. Include a concise, accurate overview and report the main figures more completely to address the task more fully.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs containing figures from the tables. This gives the reader a basic route through the information. However, progression is weakened by repeating “In 1800” at the start of two paragraphs and using “However” twice to connect information that is not always contrasting. The final paragraph moves from 1800 to 1900 and then 2000, but the comparisons are compressed, and “at the end” is a vague reference to the final year. Group the data by time period or by Manhattan versus the other districts, and use clearer links such as “By 1900” and “By 2000” to make the sequence easier to follow.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You use some relevant vocabulary for describing change, including “rose,” “increased,” “decreased dramatically” and “significant rise.” These choices help communicate the broad trends. However, the range is limited and several expressions are inaccurate or awkward, such as “witnessed the highest percentage,” “stoodout alone consisted of,” and “with 81% population.” Spelling errors in “substantialy” and “figuers” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise collocations used in data reporting, such as “accounted for,” “the population share fell,” and “reached.” Check spelling carefully and avoid repeating general terms like “increase” when a more exact description is available.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, complex structures are often faulty, as in “with other districts witnessed the highest percentage” and “with Manhattan stoodout alone consisted of 60,515,” where clauses are joined without a workable grammatical structure. There are also errors in verb forms and sentence construction: “before reaching to 8,009,185” and “Manhattan rose to 54% with 1,850,093 population.” The year “2002” also conflicts with the table’s 2000 endpoint. Use shorter, controlled sentences when combining figures, and check that each clause has a clear subject and correctly formed verb.
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