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 below tables have information of total population from 2 centuries in different cities of US. The first table mainly focus on New York city (all five districts included). When it comes to second and third table it represents Manhattan and Other districts respectively.

Overall, The tables are sub-divided into year and population, particularly in second and third table the sub-divisions are year, population and as percentage of total population. In the New York table in the year 2000 the population peaked with 8,009,185. Where as in Manhattan the highest population was in 1900 with 1,850,093. When it comes to the last table other districts was at top in the year 2000 with 6,471,089 Respectively.

Firstly, The main and foremost city New York have least population in the year 1800 with 79,216 and gradually got increased by year 2000. The growth of population is more than 100 times.

Secondly, The famous city Manhattan have shown lowest population in 1800 with 60,515 with the percentage of 76%. In the year 2000 the population got decreased to 1,538,096 with the percentage of 19%.

Finally, The other districts this represents the districts like Brooklyn,Bronx,Queens,Staten Island. This districts shown increasing pattern in the decending years and in the year 2000 the percentage of total population was 81% respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall changes: New York’s population rose substantially, Manhattan’s population peaked in 1900 and then fell, and the other districts grew to dominate by 2000. Several figures are accurately reported, including the total of 8,009,185 and the other districts’ 2000 population of 6,471,089. However, the overview focuses partly on table structure rather than summarising the key trends, and some comparisons are underdeveloped. In particular, the shift in population share—from Manhattan’s 76% to 19%, while the other districts rose from 24% to 81%—is important but not clearly brought together. The 1900 total and the other districts’ 1900 figures are also omitted. A more selective overview comparing the changing balance between Manhattan and the other districts would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and separate paragraphs beginning “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “Finally.” This gives the reader a general route through the information. However, the progression is sometimes mechanical, and the overview repeats details that are then discussed again. Some references are unclear: “the last table” and “this districts” do not consistently identify the data group, while “respectively” is used without a clear paired comparison. The opening overview also describes how the tables are subdivided instead of linking the main trends. Organise the body around the overall population and the contrast between Manhattan and the other districts, and use clear references such as “the remaining four districts” to improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “population,” “percentage,” “increased,” “decreased” and “increasing pattern,” so the main information is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several expressions are unnatural or imprecise for describing tables. For example, “population peaked with” is less suitable than “reached a peak of,” and “was at top” does not clearly express that the other districts had their largest population in 2000. “The main and foremost city” is also an awkward description of New York in this context. There are spelling and word-form issues, including “decending,” and inconsistent capitalisation. Aim for precise trend language and avoid evaluative phrases such as “famous city” when reporting data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, and the reader can usually understand the comparisons. Some errors in sentence construction, agreement, articles and punctuation remain. For example, “The first table mainly focus” needs subject–verb agreement, while “This districts shown” has both a demonstrative and verb-form error. The sentence beginning “Finally, The other districts this represents…” is not grammatically complete, and “Where as” is incorrectly separated at the start of a sentence. Capitalisation after commas and full stops is also inconsistent. Use complete clauses, check singular and plural agreement, and punctuate sentence boundaries carefully. More accurate control of these patterns would make your varied attempts easier to follow.

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