Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-16

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 shows information about the New York city's population that changed from 1800 to 2000 . The second and third table gives information about New York city's districts(Manhattan, brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten island) population that changed over the same period.

Overall, it can be seen that the New York city's population considerable increased from 1800 to 2000. Another intersting information is that Manhattan's population declined over the same period as well as the four districts gradually increased.

First, we talk about the New York city's population that is 79,216 in 1800 and rose dramatically we can see the population in 2000 was 8,009,185.

Now, we are turning to five districts. Manhattan district's individuals declined over the same period in 1800 the percentage was 76% and in 2000 it was only 19%. On the other hand the other four district's population climbed rapidly it 1800 it was only 24% but in the 2000 it was increased and reached at 81%

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall trends: New York City’s population grew substantially, Manhattan’s share fell, and the other districts’ share rose. The figures you give for 1800 and 2000 are accurate, and the overview is relevant. This meets the task well in its broad outline, but some features are less fully reported: the total population in 1900 is omitted, as are the district figures and percentages for that year, which would show the change more clearly. Also, the tables group Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island together, so describe them as “the other four districts” rather than implying separate trends for each. More precise comparisons across all three dates would strengthen the summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and separate paragraphs for the city total and district populations. Sequencing phrases such as “Overall,” “First” and “On the other hand” help signal the stages of the report. However, progression is not always smooth: “Now, we are turning to five districts” is conversational, and the final paragraph combines several ideas in a long, loosely connected sentence. Some references are also unclear, particularly “it was only 24%,” which refers to the other districts’ share rather than their population. Use clearer links between the figures and their dates, and organise the district comparison around the three years to make the relationships easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing change, including “declined,” “increased,” “rose” and “climbed rapidly,” and the meaning is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several choices are imprecise or unnatural for a data report. “Individuals” does not mean population here, while “another interesting information” is an awkward phrase. There are also spelling and form errors, including “intersting,” “brooklyn” and “staten island.” Repeated use of “population” and “increased” makes the description less flexible. Aim for accurate collocations such as “the population stood at,” “accounted for” and “the share fell,” while checking spelling and avoiding conversational wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex forms, including the overview clause beginning “Overall, it can be seen” and the contrast introduced by “On the other hand.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors sometimes make relationships between figures difficult to follow. For example, “the second and third table gives” has subject–verb disagreement, while “it 1800 it was only 24%” lacks the preposition “in” and has a repeated subject. The sentence beginning “Manhattan district’s individuals declined” also needs clearer sentence boundaries and a more accurate grammatical construction. Practise forming complete comparisons with a clear subject, verb and date, and check agreement, articles, punctuation and prepositions.

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