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)

In first table we talk about the population of five districts of New york city. From 1800 to 2000 population increased year by year. In 1800 population increased 79,216. But in 1900 population increased more then 3,437,202 and in 2000 popluation increased more then the past 2 yeras 8,009,185.

In Manhattan district population in 1800 is 60,515 which has high percentage 76%. But in 1900 population is 1,850,093 which has slight low percentage 54%. Later in 2000 population is 1,538,096 which has low percentage other then the past two years 19%.

Now in other four districts of New York City (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten island) in these districts population increases year by year. In 1800 population of four districts is 18,701 which is 24% but in 1900 population increased to 1,587,109 which is 46%. Later in 2000 population of four districts reached on its peak about 6,471,089 which is 81% more then the last two years.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You report the main figures for Manhattan and the other four districts, and the data you give are generally accurate. However, the response does not clearly summarise the most important overall changes: the city’s population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share grew. The opening also says the first table is about the five districts, although it gives the total for New York City. Phrases such as “increased more then” make some comparisons unclear, and “reached on its peak” is not a precise description of the figures. The response is 148 words, two words below the 150-word minimum. Add a clear overview and explain the contrasting population-share trends directly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic sequence, moving from the city total to Manhattan and then the other districts, and the paragraph breaks help distinguish these topics. However, there is no clear overview to guide the reader through the main trends, so the progression feels like a list of figures rather than a developed summary. Linking expressions such as “But,” “Later,” and “Now” are repetitive or not always suited to the relationship between ideas. References such as “the past two years” are also unclear because the data compare years a century apart. Organise the response into an introduction, an overview, and focused detail paragraphs, using comparisons to connect the figures.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “population,” “percentage,” “districts,” and “increased,” so the reader can identify the subject of each paragraph. However, the range is limited and several phrases are inaccurate or repetitive, which sometimes makes the intended comparison difficult to understand. For example, “increased more then” is used where you mean that the population reached a figure, while “slight low percentage” and “reached on its peak” are not natural collocations. There are also spelling errors, including “New york,” “popluation,” “yeras,” and “staten island.” Practise precise reporting verbs and comparison phrases, and check spelling and word forms before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

Most sentences are simple, and you attempt some longer structures with “which” and “but.” However, the range remains limited, and errors occur frequently enough to make several sentences awkward or unclear. For example, “In 1800 population increased 79,216” lacks an appropriate verb construction, while “population of four districts is 18,701” uses a present-tense verb for past data. Articles and sentence structure also need attention in “In first table we talk about” and “Later in 2000 population is.” Use past-tense reporting consistently, include articles where needed, and practise accurate comparative sentence patterns such as “Manhattan’s population rose…, whereas its share fell…”.

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