Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The 1st tables illustrates the alterations in the total population of New York City, over the period from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables presents changes in the population of five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over the period from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, In 1800, approximately 79,216 people were lived in New York City but this number was reached at 8,009,185 over the 200 years. Furthermore, 76% of total population of country were lived in Manhattan in 1800, but with the passage of time there were a big rise and reached at 1,538,096 which was 19% of total population in 2000. Moreover, there were 18,701 people were lived in other districts which reached at 6,471,089.

In 1800, New York City had people in the number of thousands (79,216) but it was reached at 3,437,202 in 1900. Next hundred years, it reached at 8,[redacted phone] which make it biggest city for population over the second and third table.

Manhattan also had 76% population of the country in 1800, Although population were increased in manhattan but total population in manhattan declined from 54% to 19% in 200 years. Other districts also had 24% of total population (18,701) and reached at 81% of total population (6,471,089) in 2000,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main changes and include relevant figures: the city grows from 79,216 in 1800 to 8,009,185 in 2000, while Manhattan’s share falls from 76% to 19% and the other districts’ share rises to 81%. This gives the reader a generally accurate picture of the long-term shift. However, some key details are incomplete or unclear. Manhattan’s population rose to 1,850,093 in 1900 before falling to 1,538,096 in 2000, but this turning point is not clearly reported. The overview also says there was “a big rise” in Manhattan, which obscures the contrast between its population increase to 1900 and subsequent decline. Clarify these stages and compare the 1900 figures to make the summary more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has an identifiable introduction, overview and detail paragraphs, and it generally moves from the city total to the district figures. However, progression is weakened by repetition: the total population figures and Manhattan’s changing share are each mentioned more than once, while the 1900 district comparison is not developed. Linking words such as “Furthermore,” “Moreover,” and “Next” are used, but some connections feel mechanical or do not clearly show the relationship between ideas. The final paragraph ends with a comma, leaving the conclusion unfinished. Organise the details into a clearer sequence—city totals first, then Manhattan and the other districts—and use references and transitions that make the comparisons explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “total population,” “declined,” and “districts,” and the main meaning is usually understandable. However, the range is limited and several phrases are unnatural or imprecise, such as “the alterations in the total population,” “reached at,” and “had people in the number of thousands.” “Big rise” is also too vague for describing a numerical trend, and “country” incorrectly identifies the population being discussed; the figures refer to New York City. Aim for more precise trend language and natural collocations, such as “increased to,” “accounted for,” and “the city’s population.” These improvements would make the comparisons clearer and more appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including contrasts with “but” and clauses introduced by “which.” However, errors in verb forms, agreement and sentence construction are common enough to make several sentences awkward. For example, “79,216 people were lived” should be “79,216 people lived,” and “the second and third tables presents” needs subject–verb agreement. The construction “this number was reached at 8,009,185” is also grammatically faulty; write “the population reached 8,009,185.” Capitalisation and punctuation are inconsistent, as in “Overall, In” and the comma at the end. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build comparisons with complete, well-punctuated clauses.

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