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 tables provides information of growth of population of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island during 1800 to 2000 in New York .

Overall, population was significanlty increased from 1900 to 2000. Furthermore, Manhattan was considerably the largest district to contribute in the development of the city.

In 1800, the population was at 79,216 which increased drastically upto five times in 1900 with 3,437,202 people. Which nealry doubled when it reaches next century i.e. 2000 where 8,009,185 people were witnessed.

However, people in Manhattan accoounted for 76% of the total population in 1800 with 60,515 people, other districts were at 24% with 18,701 people. In 1900 there was approximatley equal contribution of Manhattan and other 4 districts with 54% and 46% of population. The other districts increased their share with 81% and Manhatton still at 19% of the share to the total popu

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main overall rise in New York’s population and the shift in population share from Manhattan to the other districts, using relevant figures such as 79,216 in 1800 and the 81% share outside Manhattan in 2000. However, the overview incorrectly says Manhattan was the largest district contributing to the city’s growth; the data show its population fell from 1,850,093 in 1900 to 1,538,096 in 2000, while the other districts grew substantially. The final comparison is also cut off, and the response does not meet the 150-word minimum. Develop the key contrast accurately and complete the 2000 figures to address the task more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable sequence: an introduction, an overview, total-population figures, and then district comparisons. This gives the reader some organisation, and transitions such as “Overall,” “Furthermore,” and “However” help signal relationships. However, progression is weakened by the incomplete final sentence (“Manhatton still at 19% of the share to the total popu”), which leaves the comparison unfinished. Some links are also awkward or unclear: “Which nearly doubled” is a sentence fragment, and “In 1900 there was approximately equal contribution” does not clearly explain what is being compared. Use complete sentences and organise the district data by year or by the changing shares, with clear references throughout.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “population,” “total population,” “share,” “increased,” and “contribution,” so the main subject is generally understandable. There are also attempts at more formal reporting language, such as “accounted for” and “drastically.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural: “growth of population of Manhattan” and “contribution in the development of the city” do not precisely describe the tables, while “people were witnessed” is unsuitable for reporting population figures. Spelling errors such as “significanlty,” “nearly,” “approximatley,” and “Manhatton” are noticeable. Prefer precise data language such as “population rose,” “accounted for,” and “made up the total.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

There are attempts to use both simple and more complex forms, including “which increased drastically” and “with 54% and 46% of population.” However, errors occur frequently and sometimes make sentence relationships difficult to follow. “The tables provides” has subject–verb disagreement, while “Which nearly doubled when it reaches next century” is a fragment with inconsistent tense. The opening phrase “during 1800 to 2000 in New York” also has an unclear grammatical construction. In addition, the final sentence is incomplete, and punctuation around the sentence beginning “In 1800” creates a run-on structure. Practise complete sentences, consistent past-tense reporting, and accurate agreement before adding more complex clauses.

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