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 table illustrates the changes in all five districts of New York City between 1800 and 2000. While the other tables compare changes in the population in Manhattan and the other districts, namely Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, over the same period.

At a glance, it is evident that there was a huge increase in population throughout the period. While Manhattan witnessed a sharp fall as a percentage of the total population, the others plummeted significantly.

Upon closer inspection, we can see that in 1800 the population of Manhattan was the highest figure around 60,515, which was almost 76%, while the figure for the others was just 24%. However, the figure recorded a dramatic fall in the next year at 54%. Meanwhile, the others experienced a sharp rise in the same year by reaching 46%.

By contrast, Manhattan stood at only 19% at the end of the period, whereas the others stood significantly at around 81%

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad population growth and the changing shares of Manhattan and the other districts, and the figures you give for 1800, 1900 and 2000 are generally consistent with the tables. However, the overview contains a major contradiction: you say the other districts “plummeted,” although their share rose from 24% to 81%. The response also omits the total population figures, including the substantial rise to 8,009,185, and does not report the 2000 population counts. This leaves important features underdeveloped. The response is 147 words, below the 150-word minimum; the nine words copied from the task prompt are excluded from the count. Include the key totals and correct the trend description to address the task more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic sequence, moving from an introduction and overview to details for 1800, 1900 and 2000. Time markers such as “in 1800,” “in the next year” and “at the end of the period” help the reader follow the comparisons. However, the progression is weakened by the contradictory overview that the other districts “plummeted,” followed by the accurate statement that their share rose to 81%. The opening also has a sentence fragment beginning “While the other tables compare…”, and the final paragraph ends abruptly without a concluding comparison of total population. Use complete sentences, group the figures more systematically, and make each linking phrase reflect the actual trend.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of vocabulary for describing change, including “dramatic fall,” “sharp rise” and “stood at.” These expressions show an attempt to avoid repeating basic terms. However, some choices are inaccurate or unnatural in context: “plummeted” reverses the other districts’ upward trend, while “stood significantly at around 81%” is not a natural collocation. “The highest figure around 60,515” is also imprecise because the number is a population count, not a figure in general. Aim for precise, neutral language suited to data reporting, and avoid intensifiers such as “huge” when a clear numerical comparison would be more informative. This would make the vocabulary more controlled and accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex structures, including the contrastive clause “While Manhattan witnessed…” and the comparison “whereas the others stood…”. Most of the intended meaning can be understood, but sentence control is uneven. The opening “While the other tables compare…” is a dependent clause without a main clause, and “the figure recorded a dramatic fall in the next year at 54%” has an unclear subject and awkward structure. The final sentence also lacks a full stop. Use complete independent clauses and make the subject of each change explicit—for example, state that Manhattan’s share fell to 54% in 1900. More consistent punctuation and clearer sentence construction would improve accuracy.

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

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