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 initial table illustrates alterations in the overall citizens of New York City between 1800 to 2000. The remaining both table presents the changes in the population of the five districts of the New York City over the similar time.

Overall, over time the Manhattan population decrease significantlly. However, other districts population increase dramtically.

Initally in 1800 the population of all the districts 79216. In 1800 the population of manhattan 60515 and other four districts hold only 18701. However in 1900 overall population of all districts [redacted phone] and Manhattan have large scale of population [redacted phone]. In 2000 the population of all five districts [redacted phone] Manhattan hold very small part of population [redacted phone], other districs had [redacted phone] . This table tells us the population decrease in Manhattan and dramtically increase in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main contrast: Manhattan’s share falls while the combined share of the other districts rises, and you include figures for all three years. However, the overview is brief and does not clearly summarise the city’s overall growth, from 79,216 in 1800 to 8,009,185 in 2000. The final sentence also says the population “decrease[s] in Manhattan,” although the figures show it rose sharply to 1,850,093 by 1900 before falling to 1,538,096 in 2000. The response contains 125 words, below the required 150, which limits how fully you can select and explain the key trends. Develop the overview and describe the rise-then-fall pattern accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic structure: an introduction, an overview, and a chronological account of the three years. This gives the reader a general route through the information. However, progression is limited because the body largely lists figures, then repeats the overall contrast in the final sentence. Linking words such as “However” and “In 2000” help, but some connections are unclear, and “the remaining both table” does not clearly identify the information being introduced. Group the data into a clear comparison—for example, citywide growth alongside Manhattan’s changing share—and use references such as “this figure” or “the combined population” precisely. A fuller, more clearly divided account would make the relationships between the figures easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “overall population,” “districts,” and “population,” so the subject is generally clear. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms are inaccurate or awkward, such as “overall citizens,” “large scale of population,” and “hold very small part.” Repetition of “population” and “districts” also makes the report less precise. Spelling errors—including “significantlly,” “dramtically,” “Initally,” and “districs”—are noticeable and weaken control. Use standard data-reporting expressions such as “the city’s total population,” “accounted for,” and “the combined population of the other districts.” Check spelling carefully and choose verbs that describe figures and proportions naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and joined sentences, and the reader can usually understand the intended comparisons. However, the range is limited, and frequent errors in sentence construction and grammatical forms sometimes make the information difficult to process. For example, “the population of all the districts 79216” is missing a verb, while “Manhattan have large scale of population” has incorrect subject–verb agreement and an incomplete construction. The opening also uses “between 1800 to 2000” rather than a correct time-range pattern. Practise forming complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check articles, agreement, and tense. For example: “In 1900, Manhattan’s population was 1,850,093, representing 54% of the city total.”

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