Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The table illustrates the total population of New York CIty and the other five districts ( Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island) from 1800 to 2000. Overall, New York City's population increased siginificantly over two decade. Whereas, Manhattan remaind the important district, but the population fell and other districts had a growth in numbers, by 2000.

In 1800, the population in New York City was 79,216. Manhattan had 60,515 people, making upto 76% of total population. The other districts like Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island had 18,701 residents, with accounting at 24%.

In 1900, the city's population increased to 3,437,202. In contrast, Manhattan had 1,850,093, represnting at 54% and other districts had 1,587,109 population and the proportion fell by 46%.

In 2000, New York population increased to 8,009,185 population. On the other side there wa

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the main overall rise in New York City’s population and the shift from Manhattan towards the other districts, and the figures you give for 1800 and 1900 match the tables. However, the response is incomplete: it stops mid-sentence while introducing 2000, so it does not report the key final comparison—Manhattan’s population fell to 1,538,096 (19%), while the other districts reached 6,471,089 (81%). The overview also says Manhattan “remaind the important district,” which is unclear and does not accurately convey its declining share. The response is 13 words below the required minimum. To address the task more fully, complete the 2000 comparison and state the main trend precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an opening overview followed by paragraphs for 1800, 1900 and 2000. This chronological arrangement helps the reader follow the data, and phrases such as “In 1800” and “In 1900” signal the stages. However, progression is weakened because the final paragraph breaks off at “On the other side there wa,” leaving the comparison unfinished. Some linking is also inaccurate or mechanical: “In contrast” does not clearly express the relationship between the citywide rise and Manhattan’s figures, while “On the other side” is not a natural transition here. Use clearer comparisons, such as “Meanwhile” or “By contrast,” and ensure each paragraph completes its point before moving on.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “population,” “proportion,” “increased,” and “representing,” so the topic is generally clear. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which makes parts of the report awkward: “increased significantly over two decade” does not fit the three dates, “making upto 76%” is unnatural, and “the proportion fell by 46%” should describe the share as standing at 46%. There are also spelling errors, including “siginificantly,” “remaind,” and “represnting.” Aim for precise reporting language and check spelling; for example, say that a figure “accounted for” a percentage or that a share “declined to” a value.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple sentences and a more complex overview using “Whereas,” which shows some variety. However, control is inconsistent, and several sentence patterns are incomplete or faulty. “Whereas, Manhattan remaind the important district” is not a complete, well-formed contrast clause, and “with accounting at 24%” has an incorrect grammatical construction. The final sentence, “On the other side there wa,” is unfinished, so it cannot communicate the intended comparison. There are also issues with number and article use in “over two decade” and “the total population.” Practise complete comparative sentences, such as “Manhattan accounted for 76% of the total in 1800, compared with 24% in the other districts,” and proofread for sentence completion.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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