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 table on the top provides information about changes in the overall habitants of New york city, at the bottome, the seconde and the third tables compare the changes in five places of the area (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island). Between 1800 to 2000.
Overall, New york city's population increased significantly throughout the given period, similarly to other districts,in which doubled their percentage. However, Manhattan' percentage of people decreased substantially.
In the first table, New york city experienced an upward in population.In 1800 recorded 79,216 people which higher than Manhattan population by almost 20,000 people.In 1900 the proportion of people in Manhattan fell by 25% and then recorded only 19% at the end of the period.
By contrast, other districts showed a rise in their population by almost 40% in 2000, while New york city population rised by 5,000,000 in 2000 which makes it the largest place among other districts.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
You identify the broad trends: New York City’s population grew, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. However, the response only partially reports the tables, and some comparisons are inaccurate or unclear. For example, Manhattan had 60,515 people in 1800, which is lower—not higher—than the citywide total of 79,216; the citywide figure includes Manhattan. The other districts’ share rose from 24% to 81%, not “by almost 40%,” and the city’s population increased by about 4.6 million between 1900 and 2000, rather than 5 million. Include the key figures and distinguish population totals from percentage shares to make the main features more precise.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response has a basic structure, with an opening, an overview and paragraphs referring to the tables. Linking phrases such as “Overall” and “By contrast” help signal the intended relationships. However, progression is not consistently clear: the first body paragraph moves from the citywide total to Manhattan’s percentage without explaining the connection, and the final paragraph combines the other districts’ share with the city’s population increase. Some references are also difficult to follow, such as “the second and the third tables” when the task presents two visuals. Organise the details by comparing Manhattan with the other districts, and use clear references to population totals and shares so the reader can follow each comparison.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use some relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “increased significantly,” “decreased substantially” and “proportion.” However, the range is limited, and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or awkward, which sometimes makes the meaning unclear. Examples include “overall habitants,” “experienced an upward in population,” and “rised by 5,000,000.” The repeated use of “population” and “people” also limits precision, especially when discussing percentages. Use standard data-reporting expressions and distinguish a population total from a percentage share. Check spelling and capitalisation as well, including “New York” and “bottom.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including the contrast introduced by “However” and the clause beginning “in which.” However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to interpret. For example, “Between 1800 to 2000” is an incomplete sentence and uses an incorrect preposition; “In 1800 recorded 79,216 people” lacks a clear subject; and “which higher than Manhattan population” is missing a verb and an article. There are also problems with possessives and sentence boundaries, as in “Manhattan' percentage” and “population.In.” Practise complete subject–verb sentences and check articles, verb forms, punctuation and prepositions.
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