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)

A glance at tables provided reveals the changes in the total population of New york city between 1800 and 2000.

Overall, in the first century, from 1800 to 1900, new york city population has increased drastically compared to the second century. Coming to the lower level, Manhattan was the most populous city in terms of percentage of total population than other districts in 1800, but in 2000 other districts also started to grew.

In 1800, total population of new york city was 79,219 out of which 76% of population was residing in manhattan while remaining 24% in other districts like Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. In 1900, New york city population has increased gradually to 3,437,202, still half of the popution was in manhattan.

After one century, the population had increased more than twofold in new york city. At this point, Manhattan accounted for less than one-fifth of the total population, while the remaining districts collectively made up approximately 81%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main broad pattern: New York City grew substantially, Manhattan’s share declined, and the other districts’ share rose. The comparison between Manhattan and the other districts is relevant, and the 76% and 24% figures for 1800 and 81% for the other districts in 2000 are accurate. However, coverage is partial: the response omits the 2000 total of 8,009,185 and Manhattan’s 2000 population, and it does not clearly report the 1900 district figures or the shift from 54% to 19% for Manhattan. The 1800 total is also slightly inaccurate (79,219 rather than 79,216), and “more than twofold” understates the increase from 1900 to 2000. Select and compare the key figures more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs describing the earlier and later data. Time markers such as “In 1800,” “In 1900” and “After one century” help readers follow the chronology. However, progression is not consistently clear: the overview’s “Coming to the lower level” is an unclear transition, and the final paragraph gives only a broad comparison rather than developing the 2000 figures. Some linking is mechanical, while “At this point” does not clearly identify which year it refers to. Organise the body around the three years or around the changing shares, and use precise references so each comparison follows naturally from the previous one.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “accounted for,” “total population,” “increased” and “collectively made up.” These choices communicate the general trends. However, the range is limited and several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “Coming to the lower level,” “started to grew” and “increased gradually” for a very large rise. “More than twofold” is also an inaccurate description of the change from 1900 to 2000. Spelling errors in “New york,” “popution” and “manhattan” reduce accuracy. Use a wider set of precise reporting terms, for example “rose sharply,” “represented,” and “accounted for a smaller share,” while checking spelling and collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including the clause “out of which 76% of population was residing in manhattan” and the contrast introduced by “while.” However, errors occur frequently and sometimes make relationships less clear. Tense use is inconsistent: “has increased” is used for completed historical periods, where “increased” is appropriate. There are also agreement and verb-form problems in “other districts also started to grew,” and missing or incorrect articles in phrases such as “the total population” and “in Manhattan.” Several sentences are long and awkwardly joined, particularly the 1800 sentence. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build comparisons with controlled clauses, checking articles, verb forms and sentence boundaries.

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