Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-17

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 given first table illustrates the total growth in human civilization in New York City between 1800 to 2000. The remaining two tables showed the changes in the population over five districts of the city in the similar years.

Overall, New York City demonstrated a signicificant amount of growth by the end of year. Whereas, Manhattan figured a marginal decline in population and other districts showed drastically increasing rate of human in final year.

In 1800, the population was approximately around 80000, which further rose drastically to [redacted phone] in 1900 and then finally reached to peak of [redacted phone] in 2000. However, Manhattan figured 76% of total population reprenting near 60000 human initially and then it fall significantly at 54% marking to [redacted phone] population. Whereas, it showed considerable decline in 2000 by reaching 19% with [redacted phone] people.

In contrast, other four districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island) had highest population growth in final year by 81% and [redacted phone] number of people. Moreover, it was intially at just quarter (24%) and around 18000 of man, Which then climbed to 46% of total population and [redacted phone] figure in 1900.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main changes and provide a clear overview: the city’s population rose substantially, Manhattan’s share fell, and the other districts’ share increased. The figures you report are broadly consistent with the tables, including the shift from 76% to 19% for Manhattan and from 24% to 81% for the other districts. This meets the task well and shows some of the stronger feature selection expected at the next level. However, some comparisons are less fully explained: for example, Manhattan’s population rose between 1800 and 1900 before declining by 2000, but this sequence could be stated more precisely. Also, the overview’s phrase “marginal decline” understates the sharp fall in Manhattan’s share, and the final-year comparison could clarify that the other districts’ population exceeded Manhattan’s.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the figures. The contrast between Manhattan and the other districts is also signalled with “However” and “In contrast,” helping readers follow the main comparison. Overall, the information is arranged coherently. Some linking is mechanical or unclear, though. “Whereas” begins a sentence without a clear paired clause, and “Moreover” introduces the 1800-to-1900 figures even though the relationship is chronological rather than additive. The long third paragraph also moves between total population and Manhattan data, so grouping all Manhattan figures together and then all other-district figures would make progression clearer. Check references such as “it” to ensure the reader can identify which population or share is meant.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt a range of vocabulary, including “demonstrated,” “drastically,” “considerable decline,” and “climbed,” and the main trends remain understandable. However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing demographic data, which limits precision. “Growth in human civilization” does not mean population growth, while “human” and “man” are unsuitable substitutes for people or residents. “Marginal decline” also misrepresents the scale of Manhattan’s falling share, and “highest population growth” is less precise than describing the largest population or increase. Spelling errors such as “signicificant,” “reprenting,” and “intially” are noticeable. Aim for a smaller set of accurate, natural terms for population, proportions, increases, and decreases rather than using dramatic wording where it does not fit.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple statements and more complex forms, including clauses introduced by “which” and “whereas,” and the overall meaning can usually be followed. However, some sentence structures are faulty or awkward, particularly when clauses are joined: “Whereas, Manhattan figured…” is not a complete, well-integrated contrast, and “Which then climbed…” is an incorrectly capitalised fragment. There are also errors in tense and verb form, as in “it fall significantly,” and in sentence construction, such as “between 1800 to 2000” and “it was initially at just quarter.” Punctuation and capitalisation are inconsistent, including the capitalised “Which” after a comma. Practise forming complete comparison sentences and checking verb forms, articles, and prepositions.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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