Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The initial table depicts changes in the entire population of New York City between 1800 and 2000. The middle and last tables illustrate variations in the population of the five districts of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over a similar time frame.

Overall, the first table population shows the combined population of all five districts from New York City, where first year has comparatively less population. The middle table contains the data for Manhattan districts and the last one contains the other four districts data where year, population and percentage are mentioned.

The leading table has the population numbers of all five districts combined at 100-year intervals from 1800 to 2000, where the population was 79,216, 3,437,202 and 8,009,185 in 1800, 1900 and 2000 respectively. In 1800, the population is the lowest and then the number has surged dramatically. In 2000, the population is reached the highest point and rising over 8 million.

The middle table illustrates the Manhattan district population and third table is showing other four districts population. In 1800, Manhattan district had the highest population and it decreased by the time of 2000 significantly. Where the other four districts population were less in 1800 and it surged by the time of 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall change accurately: New York City’s population rose from 79,216 in 1800 to 8,009,185 in 2000, and Manhattan’s share fell while the other districts’ share grew. The response also reports the three city totals correctly. However, the overview is largely descriptive of what each table contains rather than a concise summary of the key trends. The important contrast—that Manhattan’s population peaked in 1900 before declining, while the other districts continued to grow—is only partly conveyed. The statement that Manhattan had the highest population in 1800 is also misleading without clarifying that it was compared with the other districts combined. Develop these comparisons with selected figures, especially the 1900 and 2000 district data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs presenting the figures and district trends. This gives the information a generally coherent arrangement. However, progression is weakened by repetition: the introduction and overview both explain what the tables show, and the final paragraph repeats that the middle and third tables concern Manhattan and the other districts. Linking is also sometimes mechanical, as in repeated uses of “The middle table” and “The leading table.” Some references are unclear, particularly “where first year has comparatively less population.” Organise the overview around the main trends, then use the body paragraphs to support those trends with comparisons and figures.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “population,” “combined,” “surged dramatically,” and “decreased … significantly,” so the main information is generally understandable. However, several choices are imprecise or unnatural for describing tables and trends. For example, “the first table population” and “Manhattan districts” are unclear, while “the population is reached the highest point” does not express the trend naturally. “The leading table” is also an unusual label. Repetition of “population,” “table,” and “district” limits flexibility. Aim for precise collocations such as “the city’s total population,” “Manhattan’s population,” and “accounted for,” and use varied but accurate verbs to describe increases and decreases.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, and the reader can follow the main comparisons. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly with verb forms, articles, and sentence construction. For example, “the population is reached the highest point” uses an incorrect verb form; “the other four districts population” needs a possessive construction; and “Where the other four districts population were less” is an incomplete sentence joined awkwardly to the previous idea. The overview phrase “where first year has comparatively less population” also has unclear structure and article use. Use complete sentences and check subject–verb agreement and tense consistency. More accurate complex sentences would help you express the contrast between Manhattan and the other districts clearly.

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