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 provided table presents information about the variations in population in New York City and its five different districts, namely, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Islands in a period from 1800 to 2000.Overall, the population of New York City had increased to greater extent during the era. Additionaly, the number of individuals for other five districts rose substantially during this period.

As we can see from the given table, the ratio of population rose substantially in all five districts, from 79,216 in 1800 to 8,009,185 in 2000. In Manhattan, the number of individuals observed in 1800 was 60,515, which climbed up to 1,850,093 in 1900, followed by a steady decline in 2000. On the other hand, rate of population in other four districts was noticed to about 18,701 in 1800, and considerably went up to 6,471,089 in 2000.

In conclusion, the population rate in all five districts of New York City increased with the passage of time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad rise in New York City’s population and give relevant figures for Manhattan and the other districts. The Manhattan figures are accurately reported, including its peak in 1900 and subsequent decline. However, the overview is imprecise: Manhattan did not rise throughout the period, and the other districts’ combined population—not each district individually—is what the table reports. You also omit the 1900 figure and percentage shares, which are important for showing how the balance shifted from Manhattan to the other districts. The final claim that population increased in all five districts is not supported by the data provided. Select the main comparisons more carefully and distinguish combined figures from individual districts.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable introduction, overview, supporting paragraph and conclusion, and phrases such as “On the other hand” help signal contrast. However, progression is limited because the conclusion largely repeats the overview rather than adding a useful comparison. The supporting paragraph moves from the city total to Manhattan and then to the other districts, but leaves out the 1900 comparison for the latter, making the account feel incomplete. Some linking is also mechanical, particularly “As we can see” and “In conclusion,” while the relationship between “all five districts” and “other four districts” is unclear. Organise the body around the changing population shares and use references that make clear when figures describe a combined group.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a range of vocabulary related to population change, including “climbed,” “steady decline,” and “substantially,” so the main topic is generally clear. However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing these tables. “The ratio of population” does not mean the total population, and “number of individuals” is unnecessarily indirect; “population” is more precise. “Population rate” is also unsuitable because the figures are counts, not rates. In addition, “Additionaly” is misspelled, and “Staten Islands” should be “Staten Island.” Aim for accurate, natural collocations rather than replacing simple words with less suitable alternatives. Terms such as “combined population,” “accounted for,” and “share” would help describe the data precisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, and most of the intended meaning can be followed. There are, however, some errors in sentence construction and punctuation. The opening paragraph runs together after “2000,” with no space or clear sentence break before “Overall.” In “the number of individuals observed in 1800 was 60,515, which climbed up,” the relative clause makes the number itself appear to climb; a clearer structure would be “Manhattan’s population rose from…”. The phrase “was noticed to about 18,701” is grammatically incomplete, and “followed by a steady decline in 2000” would be clearer as “before declining to… in 2000.” Use complete, direct clauses and check punctuation between sentences to improve accuracy.

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