Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-20

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)

The given tabel inllustrates total population of New York City form 1800 till 2000.

Overall, population had grow with the pessage of time. As figure describe population of all five districts in 1800 is approximately 79 thousand 200 hundred while in 2000 it reahes to it highest arround 8 million.

Firstly, we have to check population of Manhattan out of other four districts. In early Ninghteen population of that spesific citie is 76% of population while in 21 centutry the population is 19% of total population. The table showes other districts population incresases with the pessage of time more then the Manhattan.

Secondly, population of the other four district name as Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and State Island was very slow in the pace of population as we can see that in early 19 the population is 24% of the total and in 20th century its about 81% of the total population. As we compare both table Manhattan has the large increase also and had a greate impact on the total population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall change: New York City’s population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share increased. The figures you give for the 1800 and 2000 percentage shares are accurate, and you name the four other districts. This covers the task’s central comparison and supports the stronger performance within this band. However, some key information is underdeveloped: the total population in 1900 is omitted, and Manhattan’s population actually rose from 60,515 in 1800 to 1,850,093 in 1900 before falling to 1,538,096 in 2000. The claim that Manhattan “has the large increase” is therefore unclear and conflicts with the later decline. Include the middle-year figures and distinguish population totals from percentage shares to make the account more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overall statement, and two paragraphs comparing Manhattan with the other districts. Sequencing phrases such as “Overall,” “Firstly,” and “Secondly” help the reader follow the broad organisation. At times, however, the progression is mechanical, and the comparisons are not always clearly linked to the data. For example, “As we compare both table” introduces a conclusion that is difficult to reconcile with the preceding point about the other districts’ growth. References such as “that specific city” and “the table” are also not always precise. Group the information by time period or by population share, and use clearer links to show how each figure supports the overview.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “total population,” “districts,” “percentage,” and “increases,” so the reader can identify the subject and the main comparisons. However, the range is limited, and repeated or inaccurate expressions sometimes make the meaning difficult to interpret. Phrases such as “with the passage of time” and “slow in the pace of population” are awkward for describing statistical change, while “population of that specific city” is imprecise when you mean Manhattan. Spelling errors, including “tabel,” “reahes,” and “incresases,” also reduce clarity. Build a more accurate set of terms for describing rises, falls, proportions, and population figures, and check spelling and collocations before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including “As we compare both table…” and a sentence beginning “while,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in verb forms and agreement appear in “population had grow” and “population … is 76%,” and articles or sentence construction are missing or awkward in “Firstly, we have to check population of Manhattan.” The final comparison also joins ideas without a clear grammatical relationship. These errors sometimes make the intended meaning hard to follow, although the broad message remains understandable. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and complete comparison structures, for example, “Manhattan’s share fell from 76% in 1800 to 19% in 2000, whereas the other districts’ share rose.”

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