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 given table ilsstrate changes in total poplulation of new york city froom 18 century to 20th century then send and third tables ilsstrate show changes in five different citys over the same time

overall,it is evident that,the highest poplulation was record as in year of two thousnand and the highest population was record in manhatten in year of nineteen hundreds or including in with the citys the highest population is noted as tow thousands .the lowest population in new york city is in eighteen hundereds

It is observed that ,In 1800,new york city btotal population stood at 79,216. over the next century the figure surged dramatically to 3,437,202 by 1900 before more than doublling to reach a peak of 8,009,185in the year 2000.manhatten intially housed the bulk of the population in 1800 with 60,515 resident according for a substantial 76% of the city total . Althought its population grew to peak of 1,850,098 by 1900, its proportional share fell to 54 % by 2000, manhattens population dropped in absoiute terms to 1,538,096 representing only 19% of all residents. conversely the combined population of the outer districts start low at 18,701 in 1800, but experienced explosive growth over the next two centuries , skyrocketing to 1,587,109 (46%) in 1900 and ultimately dominate the city with 6,471,089 resiedent (81%) by 2000

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main changes across all three dates and provide a relevant overview: the city’s total population rises substantially, while Manhattan’s share falls and the other districts’ share grows. Most figures are accurately reported, including the 1800 and 2000 totals and the outer districts’ 2000 population. However, there is a notable numerical inaccuracy: Manhattan’s 1900 population is 1,850,093, not 1,850,098. The overview also says Manhattan had the highest population in 2000, although its population had peaked in 1900; this makes the comparison unclear. To strengthen the response, state the contrasting trends precisely and distinguish population totals from percentage shares.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details about the total population, Manhattan and the outer districts. This gives the reader a basic progression, and contrast markers such as “before” and “conversely” help connect changes. However, the overview is difficult to follow because several ideas are compressed into one sentence, and the long final paragraph combines many figures without clear breaks. Some links are also awkward or unclear, such as “or including in with the citys.” Use separate, focused paragraphs for the overview and key comparisons, and make each sentence express one main point. More precise referencing would also help readers track which population or share is being discussed.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of task-appropriate vocabulary, including “surged dramatically,” “proportional share,” “in absolute terms,” and “skyrocketing,” which helps describe change. However, spelling errors are frequent and sometimes make the text harder to read: examples include “poplulation,” “manhatten,” “doublling,” and “resiedent.” Some word combinations are also unnatural, such as “the highest population was record” and “outer districts start low.” Choose accurate, conventional expressions such as “reached a peak,” “accounted for,” and “the combined population began at.” The ambitious vocabulary is useful, but prioritise correct spelling and natural collocations so that the meaning remains clear and the style is consistently appropriate for an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a time clause in “over the next century the figure surged” and a contrast introduced by “Although.” The main trends can generally be understood, but grammatical control is uneven. For example, “the highest population was record” has an incorrect verb form, while “Manhattan initially housed the bulk … with 60,515 resident” has problems with agreement and number. Several sentences run together without appropriate full stops, and commas are used inconsistently, particularly in the overview and final paragraph. Practise forming accurate past-tense clauses and checking articles, plurals and subject–verb agreement. Breaking long sentences into shorter units will also make it easier to control punctuation and grammar.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.