Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-19

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)

The given table depicit the variation in the populaition of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and the third table illustrate the specific changes in the population of the five different district which are namely Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island for the same period of time.

In the very first tabular chart its is clearly seen that the population was over the [redacted phone] in the year 2000, whether this population was 79216 in the year of 1800. Over the hundered year period there was a siginificant increase in the poultion that was recorded as [redacted phone].

On the other hand second and thrid table charts are also depicting the population of Five different district in New York for the same peiord of time. Manthattan was recorded with hightest population for the year of 1800 as comparison of other districts. Moreover, 81% of population was recorded for Brooklyn, Bronx Queens and Staten Island in 2000, whether only 19% of popution was recored for the same period of time under Manhattan district.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the overall rise in New York City’s population and report the key total figures for 1800, 1900 and 2000, so the response is relevant to the task. You also note Manhattan’s early dominance and the other districts’ much larger share by 2000. However, coverage is partial: the district comparison for 1900 is omitted, and the change in Manhattan’s population from 1,850,093 in 1900 to 1,538,096 in 2000 is not described. The statement that the other districts had 81% in 2000 is accurate, but Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island are grouped together in the table, so avoid implying separate figures. A fuller overview and more complete comparisons would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure: an introduction followed by discussion of the overall population and then the district figures. This gives the reader some organisation, and phrases such as “On the other hand” signal a shift in focus. However, progression is limited because the second paragraph reports the total figures without clearly comparing the three dates, while the final paragraph repeats that the tables show district populations before giving only a 1800 and 2000 comparison. Some linking is awkward or inaccurate, particularly “whether” where a contrast or comparison is intended. Organise the body around the main trends—total growth, then the changing balance between Manhattan and the other districts—and use clearer links between the figures.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “population,” “significant increase,” “districts” and “recorded,” and the reader can generally understand the intended topic. However, the range is limited and several word-choice, collocation and spelling errors make the report less clear or natural. Examples include “depict the variation,” “population was over the 8000000,” and “recorded with hightest population.” There are also repeated misspellings such as “populaiton,” “siginificant” and “Manthattan.” Aim for precise reporting language and check spelling carefully; for example, describe figures as “stood at” a value and say a district “had the largest population.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including a relative clause in “district which are namely…” and a comparison introduced by “as comparison.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors in sentence structure, agreement, articles and tense occur frequently enough to affect clarity. For example, “The given table depicit” has a subject–verb agreement problem, while “the second and the third table illustrate” does not match the plural subject naturally. “In the very first tabular chart its is clearly seen” is also structurally faulty. Use straightforward, accurate sentences first, then add complex clauses where you can control the grammar. Check agreement, articles and punctuation during revision.

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