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 following tables presents data on the total population of New York City from years 1800 to 2000. It also presents the data on five different districts of the city including; ( Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over the period.

Overall, the total population of New York City experiences a significant growth over the period. The most populated district of the city is Manhattan in starting years but it gradually falls over the timeline, while other districts population was not much but it follows a great growth after one century from the starting year.

Initially, the total population of New York City was approximately 79,216 people but this number booms after one century in year 1900 the population rises approximately to 3,437,202 people and follows the same path and passing another century, the number still grows significantly and in year 2000 this figure reaches 8,009,185.

In Manhattan, the total population was the largest in all districts of New York City in year 1800 and the figure is about 60,515 people and this the 76% of the total population. But in following years this figures growth became too much slow which is about 54% of total population in year 1900 and follows same track in year 2000 and the percentage was 19% of total population. In contrast, to other districts it follows the completely different path it had slow growth but by the end of period the 81% of total population is in these four districts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main population trend and make a useful comparison between Manhattan and the other districts. The figures for the city total and Manhattan’s population shares are accurate, and the overview correctly identifies Manhattan’s declining share alongside the growth of the other districts. This meets the task well, with some features more fully reported than others: the other districts’ combined population is not given for 1800 or 1900, and their growth is described only generally. Also, Manhattan’s population itself fell from 1,850,093 in 1900 to 1,538,096 in 2000, but the response discusses its share rather than clearly reporting this fall. Including these details would make the comparisons more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs covering the city total and district populations. The progression from the overall trend to the district comparison is generally understandable. However, links between ideas are sometimes mechanical or unclear. For example, “follows the same path and passing another century” is an awkward connection, while “In contrast, to other districts” does not clearly introduce the comparison. The final paragraph also combines Manhattan’s figures with a brief account of the other districts, making the comparison harder to follow. Use clearer topic sentences and organise the district data into a direct contrast, supported by the figures for each period.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing change, including “significant growth,” “gradually falls,” and “in contrast,” and the meaning is generally clear. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or informal for an academic report. “The number booms” is too conversational, and “follows the same path” is vague when describing population change. “The most populated district” is understandable but less natural than “the most populous district.” There is also repetition of “population,” “figure,” and “total population,” which limits flexibility. Aim for precise reporting verbs and phrases such as “rose,” “declined,” “accounted for,” and “the combined population of the other districts.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, and the main trends can usually be understood. However, errors in agreement, articles, verb forms, and sentence construction are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward. For example, “The following tables presents” should use a plural verb, while “other districts population was” needs a possessive form and plural agreement. In “this the 76%,” a verb is missing, and “this figures growth became” is not grammatically well formed. Some long sentences also join ideas without clear grammatical control. Practise building accurate comparisons with shorter clauses, then add subordinate clauses once the basic sentence structure is secure.

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