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)

Three tables are given from which first illustrates the total population of NewYork City, whereas second tell us about the total proportion cover by the Manhattan district and last table presents the information about the other 4 district coverage during 1800 to 2000 time duration

Overall,the total population of NewYorkCity increased over the time.Initally the population of Manhattan district was the most but it declined gradually whereas the population of other District was less at the start but they increased over the time.

In year 1800,the population of New York City was 79,216 which increased upto 3,437,202 in 1900 ,whereas following the same upward trend this value reached to hughest value of 8,009,185 in 2000.

If we look at the Manhattan district population it covers the 76 percent of total population in 1800 but follow the dicline in the coming years 54 percent in 1800 upto 1

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad trends accurately: the city’s total population rises, while Manhattan’s share falls and the other districts’ share grows. You also report the city totals correctly for all three years. However, the response only partially covers the tables: the final sentence stops at “54 percent in 1800 upto 1,” so the later Manhattan figures and the other districts’ population figures are not clearly reported. The overview is relevant but general, and the comparison between Manhattan and the other districts is not developed with specific data. The response is also three words below the required minimum. To strengthen the report, complete the comparisons and include the key 2000 figures, especially the other districts’ 81% share.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs beginning to describe the figures. This gives the reader a basic route through the information. However, progression is weakened because the final paragraph ends mid-comparison, and the other-district data are not presented in a complete section. Some linking is present in “Overall,” “whereas,” and “If we look at,” but connections are sometimes awkward or repetitive, and the opening sentence is difficult to follow because it combines all three tables in one long statement. Use separate, clearly focused paragraphs for the city total and the district comparison, and ensure each comparison is completed before moving on.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “total population,” “proportion,” “declined,” and “upward trend,” which helps communicate the main subject. However, the range is limited and several word-choice, spelling, and collocation errors make parts less clear: “proportion cover by” is not natural, “hughest value” is misspelled, and “follow the dicline” contains an inaccurate form. “Other 4 district coverage” is also an awkward way to describe population. Aim for precise reporting phrases such as “accounted for,” “population share,” and “rose to a peak,” while checking spelling and using “districts” consistently. These changes would make the comparisons clearer and more appropriate to an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast with “whereas” and a time clause in “whereas following the same upward trend…”. However, errors are frequent and sometimes make the relationships between figures difficult to understand. For example, “second tell us” lacks subject–verb agreement, “the population of Manhattan district was the most” has an unclear grammatical construction, and “it covers the 76 percent” shifts tense and uses an unnecessary article. The final sentence is incomplete, ending with “upto 1,” which prevents the comparison from being understood. Use past tense consistently for historical data, check agreement and articles, and write shorter complete sentences before attempting longer comparisons.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.