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 first table illustrates changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000 while the second and third tables highlight changes in the population of the five districts of the city named Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island over the same period.

Overall, the population density had been rised in New York City and other five districts with highest number in 2000 except in Manhattan that showed decrese in popuation from 1800 to 2000.In contrast, year 1800 accounted for the lowest population in New York City, on the other hand Manhattan had been remained lowest in inhabitants by showing lowest percetage of 19%in 2000.

New york City showed remarkable rise in total number of indviduals in 2000 with figure of [redacted phone], followe by [redacted phone] in 1900 and least maginitude had presented in 1800. Similar pattern of increse in number of inhabitant was observed in other districts of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island with higest percetge of 81% in 2000 then 46% in 1900 and 24% in 1800.

Manhattan recorded the contrasting trend in popualtion startred with highest proportion of 76% and ended with lowest of 19% in 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main time span and identify the key contrast: New York’s total population and the combined population of the other districts rose, while Manhattan’s population share fell. The figures of 8,009,185 and the other districts’ 81% share in 2000 are accurate, and the overview recognises Manhattan’s declining proportion. However, some important details are underdeveloped or unclear. You do not give the total population figures for 1800 and 1900, and the statement that the other districts showed an “increase in number” is supported only by percentages, not their population counts. Also, Manhattan’s population itself rose from 60,515 to 1,850,093 before falling to 1,538,096; describing only its share as declining risks confusing proportion with population.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a recognisable introduction, overview and two detail paragraphs, and it generally moves from the city-wide figures to the district comparison. However, progression within paragraphs is not always clear, and some linking is mechanical or confusing. For example, “In contrast” and “on the other hand” are used together in the overview without a clear distinction between the comparisons. The final paragraph repeats Manhattan’s share figures rather than adding a new comparison, while the other-district paragraph lists percentages without clearly connecting them to the population counts. Improve cohesion by grouping the total figures together, then comparing Manhattan’s population and share with those of the other districts, using references such as “this share” precisely.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt a range of task-related vocabulary, including “remarkable rise,” “proportion,” “contrasting trend” and “inhabitants.” However, inaccurate word choice, collocation and spelling are noticeable and sometimes make the report harder to read. “Population density” is not the same as population, and “highest number” is unclear without specifying what is being counted. Several forms are misspelled, including “decrese,” “popuation,” “percetge” and “indviduals.” Some phrases are also unnatural, such as “least magnitude had presented” and “Manhattan had been remained lowest.” Choose direct, precise terms such as “population,” “share,” “increased” and “fell,” and check spelling before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple statements and longer sentences with clauses, as in the opening sentence and the comparison beginning “Similar pattern of increase.” This shows some range, and the main message is usually understandable. However, errors in verb forms, articles, sentence boundaries and punctuation recur. For example, “had been rised” and “had been remained” use incorrect verb constructions; “Manhattan recorded the contrasting trend in population started with” lacks a grammatical link between the ideas. There are also missing spaces after full stops and commas, and the overview contains a run-on sequence of contrasting points. Use straightforward past-tense forms—“rose,” “fell” and “remained”—and separate comparisons into complete, clearly punctuated sentences.

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

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