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 chart illustrate that some changes in the total populaton in the nw york city rom year 1800 to 2000.second and third paragraph define changes in the population of five districts of the city (manhattan,brooklyn,bronx,queens,station island in the same time period.

OVERALL,the total change in the population of new york city is changed in year 1800 to 2000 and other table explain the information of five districts in same time period.in the year, 1800, the populaton is remain normal and then suddenly year 1900 to 2000, a big change in the population occured.in the five districts, population changes difrrently with the passege of time.

MAINLY, in the new york city the population in the year1800 is, 79216, and suddenly a big change occur and population increased, [redacted phone], then with the time in year 2000 a huge change and population goes a large number [redacted phone] respectively.

FURTHERMORE,in the city MANHATTAN the percentage in year ,1900 and 2000, relatively same like,[redacted phone],and [redacted phone].in other four districts in year 1800 and 1900 are low and in year 2000 a big change and population move 81%, [redacted phone], numbers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad pattern that New York City’s population grew substantially, and you include several relevant figures, such as 79,216 in 1800 and 8,009,185 in 2000. You also note Manhattan’s decline between 1900 and 2000 and the growing share of the other districts. However, the overview is vague and does not clearly summarise the key contrast: Manhattan’s share fell from 76% to 19%, while the other districts’ share rose from 24% to 81%. Some comparisons are inaccurate or unclear; for example, the 1800 population is described as “remain normal,” and the other districts’ earlier populations are called “low” without figures. Report the main trends precisely and distinguish population totals from percentages.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has separate opening, overview and detail paragraphs, and signposts such as “OVERALL,” “MAINLY” and “FURTHERMORE” show an attempt to organise the information. However, the progression is difficult to follow because the paragraphs do not consistently group related comparisons, and the linking words often feel mechanical. The final paragraph moves from Manhattan’s population totals to the other districts’ percentage and population without clearly connecting these points. References such as “the percentage” and “numbers” are also unclear. Organise the details by time period or by Manhattan versus the other districts, and use explicit links such as “By contrast” to clarify comparisons.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use some task-relevant terms, including “population,” “percentage,” “increased” and “districts,” so the reader can recognise the subject. However, vocabulary is limited and repetitive, and several word choices or collocations make the data difficult to interpret. Phrases such as “population remain normal,” “a big change occur,” and “population move 81%” are not natural ways to describe statistical trends. There are also frequent spelling errors, including “populaton,” “difrrently” and “passege.” Use precise reporting language such as “rose sharply,” “accounted for,” and “declined,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to form longer sentences and uses basic sequencing, but sentence structures are limited and errors occur frequently, sometimes making relationships between figures unclear. For example, “the total change in the population … is changed” has an incorrect verb construction, while “the population is remain normal” combines incompatible verb forms. Articles, agreement and punctuation are also inconsistent, as in “in the year1800” and the repeated comma breaks within sentences. Practise accurate simple sentences first, then combine them with clauses such as “while” or “whereas.” Check tense consistency and ensure each sentence has a clear subject and verb.

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