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 table illusrates the total population in New York City and in other districts ( Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island from 1800 to 2000. Overall, the New York City had the highest number of population in two decade. Manhattan was the most significant, the data fell , whereas among other districts the number increased in the city, by the timeframe.

In 1800, the city's population was 79,216, Manhattan had increase number of residents with 60,515, at 76%. In other districts had 18,701, at 24%, which was less comapred in the city.

In 1900, New York City's citizen increased with 3,437,202. Meanwhile, the porportion of population fell to 54% with an increased of 1,850,093 and other districts rate dropped to 46% with 1,587,109 population.

In 2000, the city had a dramatic rise of number with a total of 8,009,185. In contrast, Manhattan which was mostly indicated dropped to 1,538,096 at 19% compare to other districts they had more number of population with 6,471,089 and the proportion rosed to 81%, respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main time points and report the key figures for the city, Manhattan and the combined other districts. The central contrast is also present: Manhattan’s share falls from 76% to 19%, while the other districts’ share rises from 24% to 81%. However, the overview is unclear and partly inaccurate: “the New York City had the highest number of population in two decade” does not identify the overall growth across the period, and Manhattan’s population rose between 1800 and 1900 before falling, rather than simply being described as data that “fell.” Some comparisons are also imprecise, such as saying the 1800 figure was “less compared in the city.” State the overall growth and the changing balance between Manhattan and the other districts clearly, then distinguish population totals from percentages.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction and overview are followed by paragraphs for 1800, 1900 and 2000. This chronological organisation makes the figures relatively easy to locate, and transitions such as “Meanwhile” and “In contrast” help signal comparisons. However, the overview does not provide a clear direction for the report, and some links between ideas are awkward or unclear. For example, “Manhattan was the most significant, the data fell” does not explain what fell, while “In other districts had…” is not smoothly connected to the preceding information. Improve progression by grouping the main trends in the overview and using clear comparison sentences within the year-by-year paragraphs; ensure each reference, such as “the proportion,” has an unmistakable subject.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “population,” “proportion,” “dramatic rise” and “in contrast,” so the reader can generally understand the topic and intended comparisons. However, the range and control of word choice are limited, with several inaccurate or unnatural expressions. “Had increase number of residents” and “increased with 3,437,202” do not express population change naturally; “mostly indicated” is unclear, and “rate” is not the best term for a population share. There are also spelling errors, including “illusrates,” “comapred” and “rosed.” Choose precise reporting verbs and collocations, and check spelling carefully. More accurate vocabulary would make the comparisons clearer without requiring more elaborate wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including contrast clauses beginning “Meanwhile” and “In contrast,” and the main figures are usually understandable. However, a number of grammatical errors remain, particularly in sentence construction and verb forms. Examples include “In other districts had 18,701,” which lacks a clear subject, and “Manhattan had increase number,” where the verb form and sentence pattern are faulty. In “the proportion of population fell to 54% with an increased of 1,850,093,” the relationship between the percentage and the population figure is not grammatically clear. Articles and agreement also need attention, as in “the New York City.” Practise complete subject–verb sentences and use consistent past-tense forms when describing the historical data.

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