Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-18

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)

These tables illustrate the changes in total population of New york city from 1800 to 2000 while the second table show the data about population of 5 different districts of city such as Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island over the same period.

Overall, in the beginning the population was lowest but it increased significantly over the period.Five district of New York city Manhattan was highest in population initally from other district but it decline dramticly while other four district experienced a notable increased through out the period.

In general, the figure of total population of New York city along five district was 79,216 in 1800, rose to 3,437,202, in 1900 and after a notable increased stood at 8,009,185.

Looking into the details ,Manhattan's population recorded as 60,515 which was 76 % of total population in 1800, then dropped to 54 % and the figures were 1,850,093. in 2000 the figure of Manhattan population were 1,538,096 and 19 % of total population.Other four districts experienced a highest increased in 2000 althrought figures were 18,701 in 1800 and 24 % of total population .Seccond highest share of population was in 1900 which is 46 % of total and the figures were 1,587,109 in contrast figures stood at 6,471,089 and the proprotion was 81 %.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main overall changes: New York City’s population rose substantially, Manhattan was initially the largest population centre, and the other districts gained a much larger share by 2000. Several figures are reported accurately, including the city totals and Manhattan’s population in 1800 and 2000. However, the overview is not fully clear: saying Manhattan “decline[d] dramatically” does not distinguish its fall in population after 1900 from its much sharper fall in percentage share. The discussion of the other districts also mixes the 1900 and 2000 figures, making the comparison difficult to follow. Clarify that Manhattan’s population peaked in 1900, while the combined population of the other districts rose at each date, and link the percentages to their corresponding years.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to figures for the city and then the districts. This gives the reader some organisation, and phrases such as “Overall” and “Looking into the details” signal stages of the report. However, progression is weakened by repetition of general statements and by the final paragraph’s crowded sequence of figures. For example, the 1900 share of 46% and population of 1,587,109 are followed by the 2000 figures without a clear transition, while “in contrast” does not express the relationship accurately. Use separate, clearly ordered comparisons for Manhattan and the other districts, and connect each year’s population and percentage together.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “population,” “proportion,” “share,” “rose,” and “dropped.” These choices show awareness of the task’s language, but the range is limited and several word-choice, collocation, and spelling errors make parts less clear. Examples include “experienced a notable increased,” “a highest increased,” and “the figure of Manhattan population were.” Spelling errors such as “dramticly,” “Seccond,” and “proprotion” are also noticeable. Aim for accurate, natural combinations such as “experienced a substantial increase” and “accounted for 19% of the total.” Check spelling carefully and avoid repeating broad terms like “figure” when a more precise noun is available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including clauses linked with “while” and “which,” but complex constructions are often faulty and errors occur frequently. For instance, “the second table show” has subject–verb disagreement, and “the figures were 1,850,093” does not agree with the singular subject “the figure.” Sentence boundaries and punctuation are also inconsistent, as in “in 2000 the figure … 19 % of total population.Other four districts.” Some sentences omit articles or use unclear grammatical relationships between figures and years. Build accuracy first with shorter, complete sentences, then combine comparisons using controlled clauses. Check agreement, articles, tense consistency, and punctuation when editing.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.