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 representation illustrates the information related to 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.
In 1800, New York City (all five districts, Manhattan,Brooklyn,Bronx,Queens,Staten lsland) population was 79,216.Moreover, in 1900, it population was 3,437,202.Furthermore, in 2000, it population was 8,009,185.
In 1800, Manhattan population was 60,515.But, it total population was 76%.Furthermore, in 1900, it population was 1,850,093.However, it total population as 54%.Moreover, in 2000, it population was 1,538,096.But it total population was 19%.
In 1800, otherdistricts (Brooklyn,Brons,Queens,Staten Island) population was 18,701.But it total population was 24%. Moreover, in 1900, it population was 1,587,109.However, it total population was 46%.Moreover, in 2000, it population was 6,471,089.But it total population was 81%.
Overall, it higest population was 6,471,089 and total population was 81%. Moreover, it lowest population was 18,701 and total population was 24%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
You report the main figures accurately, including the city’s rise from 79,216 to 8,009,185 and the changing shares of Manhattan and the other districts. However, the response is under the required 150 words: it contains 123 words, and 38 words copied from the prompt were not counted. The overview is also limited: calling 6,471,089 the “higest population” and 18,701 the “lowest” identifies extremes, but does not clearly summarise the key trend that Manhattan’s share fell while the other districts’ share grew. Develop this comparison and explain that Manhattan’s population peaked in 1900 before declining by 2000. These omissions and limited development mean the task is only partially addressed.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a basic, useful structure: it introduces the tables, gives separate paragraphs for the city, Manhattan and the other districts, and ends with an overview. This makes the figures relatively easy to locate. However, progression within paragraphs is mostly a repeated year-by-year list, and the frequent use of “Moreover,” “Furthermore,” “But,” and “However” is mechanical; several of these links do not express a genuine contrast or addition. For example, “But it total population was 76%” would be clearer as a direct comparison of Manhattan’s share. Group related changes and use clearer referencing, such as “its share,” to make the relationships between population and percentage easier to follow.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use relevant topic vocabulary such as “population,” “districts,” and “total population,” and the key data remain understandable. However, the range is limited and several phrases are repetitive or imprecise, including “it population,” “it total population,” and “the representation illustrates the information related to.” Some word choices also make the meaning less natural: “higest population” is not an appropriate way to describe the largest figure, and “otherdistricts” is incorrectly joined. Use more precise reporting language and vary expressions for change and proportion, for example, “accounted for,” “share,” “increased,” and “declined.” Check spelling and spacing carefully to avoid distracting the reader.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5
Most sentences are simple statements, and the repeated pattern “In [year], … population was …” allows the reader to understand the figures. However, the range of sentence structures is very limited, and frequent errors affect accuracy. Examples include “it population was,” where the possessive form is needed, and “However, it total population as 54%,” which lacks a correct verb construction. The sentence “In 1800, New York City … population was 79,216” also needs a possessive structure, such as “the population of New York City was.” Punctuation spacing is inconsistent, with missing spaces after full stops and before conjunctions. Practise accurate possessives and varied comparison sentences, then proofread each sentence for a complete verb and correct punctuation.
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