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 first table demostrates the changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables illustrate changes in the population of the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over the same period.

Overall, the first table has the data of increasing population in all the New York City and the second table shows the population of Manhattan with increasing percantage. Moreover, the third table shows the increase in populaation of other disticts.

In first table, the starting population of New York City was 79,216 in 1800 which increased to 3,437,202 in 1900 and than letter in 2000 it is accounted as 8,009,185. In second table, Manhattan have 60,515 people with the percantage of 76%. After a cantury it is recorded as 1,850,093 with 54% of total population. FInally, in 2000 it decreased to 1,538,096 with the 19% of total population.

In third table, the population of other districts (brookly, bronx, queens, and staten island) is described which was accounted as 18,701 in 1800 with the percantage of 24% of total population than in 1900 i

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad rise in New York City’s population and include several accurate figures, such as the total increasing from 79,216 to 8,009,185 and Manhattan’s population reaching 1,850,093 in 1900. However, the overview misstates Manhattan’s share: it fell from 76% to 19%, rather than increasing. The response also ends before completing the comparison for the other districts, so their major growth and rise to 81% of the total in 2000 are not reported. The task requires at least 150 words; the response is one word short. To develop the report, give a clear overview of the contrasting trends and finish the key comparisons using the supplied data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs referring to the tables. Time markers such as “In 1800,” “After a century,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the chronology. However, the progression is incomplete because the final paragraph stops mid-sentence at “than in 1900 i,” leaving the other-district trend unfinished. The overview also repeats the table-by-table structure rather than clearly grouping the main contrast between Manhattan and the other districts. Some linking is awkward or repetitive, including repeated use of “In” and “Moreover.” Complete the final comparison and organise the body around the main trends to make the report more coherent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “total population,” “districts,” “percentage,” and “decreased,” and the reader can generally identify the topic and figures being discussed. However, the range is limited and several noticeable spelling and word-choice errors reduce clarity: “demostrates,” “percantage,” “populaation,” “disticts,” “cantury,” and “brookly.” Some phrases are also unnatural, such as “the data of increasing population” and “it is accounted as.” Aim for accurate spelling and more natural reporting language, for example “the population stood at” or “accounted for.” Varying verbs such as “rose,” “grew,” “declined,” and “represented” would also help you describe the comparisons more precisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, and the basic meaning of many figures is understandable. However, the range of sentence structures is limited, and errors occur frequently in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction. For example, “Manhattan have 60,515 people” should use “had,” while “the starting population … was … which increased” needs clearer sentence structure. Phrases such as “in all the New York City” and “with the 19%” also show problems with articles and grammatical patterns. The final sentence is incomplete, which further affects accuracy. Practise writing complete comparisons with consistent past-tense verbs and check subject–verb agreement and articles.

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