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)

First i would like to discuss about the first table in which the total population of New York (all five districts) from the year 1800 to 2000.

In 1800 the total population in entire new york districts were 79,216 ,however in 1900 we saw a masive increase in population the figures went to 3,437,202 and finally in 2000 the populations numbers kept increasing to 8,009,195

Now i would like to discuss about the percentage of population in all of the five districts.

In 1800 the total population of manhatan was 60515 and that was the 76 percent of the total population.

However in year 1900 the population was increased to 1,850,093 but the percentage of total population fell to 54%.

Lastly in 2000 we saw a massive increase in population and the numbers were 1,538,096

but overall percentage of total population fell to

19%.

The third chart of other districts which includes Brooklyn,Bronx,Queens,Staten Island

In 1800 the total population of these cities were 18701 which is 24% of total population,

However in 1900 the population numbers increased to 1,587,109 and the percentage was 54% and lastly in year 2000 we saw a masive population growth the numbers increased to 6,471,089 and the percentage was 81.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You report the main figures for all three tables and correctly identify the overall rise in New York’s population, as well as Manhattan’s declining share and the other districts’ growing share. However, the overview is not clearly stated, and some comparisons are incomplete or inaccurate. In particular, the other districts’ share in 1900 was 46%, not 54%; 54% is Manhattan’s figure. The statement that Manhattan’s population saw a “massive increase” in 2000 is also misleading: it fell from 1,850,093 in 1900 to 1,538,096 in 2000, even as its percentage share declined further. To strengthen the response, give a concise overview of the contrasting trends and check that each figure is linked to the correct district and year.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is divided into sections for the total population, Manhattan, and the other districts, so the reader can follow which table is being described. Time markers such as “In 1800,” “in 1900,” and “Lastly” also help establish sequence. However, the organisation is somewhat mechanical: repeated openings such as “Now i would like to discuss” and “The third chart” take the place of a clear overview and direct comparisons. Some links are awkward, and the final section does not clearly contrast the other districts’ growth with Manhattan’s decline. Use a brief overview first, then group related trends together and use linking phrases to show comparisons rather than simply moving from table to table.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “total population,” “percentage,” “fell,” and “population growth,” and the meaning is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several expressions are repetitive or imprecise, such as “the numbers” and “massive increase.” Some word combinations are unnatural, including “discuss about” and “population numbers kept increasing”; spelling errors such as “masive” and “manhatan” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise reporting verbs and collocations, for example “rose to,” “accounted for,” and “declined to.” Varying these expressions and checking spelling would make the description clearer and more appropriate to an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and longer sentences, and the sequence of past events is mostly conveyed with past-tense verbs. However, sentence structures are limited, and errors recur in agreement, articles, and sentence construction. For example, “the total population … were 79,216” has a singular subject with a plural verb, while “the population was increased” uses an incorrect passive form. The opening fragment, “First i would like to discuss about the first table …,” is also not a well-formed report sentence. Punctuation and capitalisation are inconsistent, particularly around commas and sentence endings. Practise concise comparative structures such as “Manhattan’s population fell, whereas the other districts’ population rose,” and check subject–verb agreement and verb forms.

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