Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-21

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 graph illustrates the population of New York City across all five boroughs in 1800, 1900 and 2000, showing the population of Manhattan and its proportion of total population compared with other four boroughs.

overall, the total population of New York City increased dramatically throughout the period. However, Manhattan's share of the total population decline considerably, while other four proportion rose significantly.

In 1800, New York City had a total population of 79, 126 of whom lives in Manhattan. Despite this figure, Manhattan accounted for approximately 76% the city's population, while the other boroughs represented around 25%. By 1900, the total population had risen sharply to 4,437,202. Manhattan population reached 1,850,093, accounting for 45% of the total, whereas the other boroughs made up the remaining 46%.

By 2000, the population of New York City had increased further to 8,009,185. In contrast, Manhattan's population had fallen to [redacted phone], and its share of the city's of total population dropped substantiality to just19%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main overall contrast: New York City’s population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share declined and the other districts’ share increased. You also include several relevant figures. However, some key data are inaccurate: the 1800 total is 79,216, not 79,126; the 1900 total is 3,437,202, not 4,437,202; and Manhattan represented 54% in 1900, not 45%. The 2000 Manhattan population is correctly reported, but the response does not give the other districts’ 2000 population or explain their growth. These errors and omissions make the summary only partly accurate and leave some important comparisons underdeveloped. Check each figure against the table and report the major changes consistently.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and chronological paragraphs covering 1800, 1900 and 2000. This gives the reader a generally clear route through the information, and contrast markers such as “However” and “In contrast” help signal comparisons. Cohesion is less effective where the comparison is incomplete: the final paragraph gives Manhattan’s 2000 figures but does not report the corresponding figures for the other districts, so the discussion feels unfinished. Some linking is also mechanical, and the overview’s reference to the “other four proportion” is unclear. Make each period’s comparison parallel, and use clear references such as “the other four boroughs’ share” to improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “accounted for,” “represented,” “share,” and “increased dramatically.” These choices help describe proportions and trends. However, several word forms or collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “table graph,” “other four proportion,” and “dropped substantiality.” The phrase “the city’s of total population” is also unclear, while “just19%” needs spacing. Such errors reduce precision, particularly when describing the central comparisons. Prefer standard expressions such as “the tables show,” “the other four boroughs’ share,” and “fell substantially to just 19%.” Check spelling and word forms carefully so that your otherwise relevant vocabulary communicates the data naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast structure with “while” and a comparison using “whereas.” Most of the intended meaning remains understandable, but some grammatical errors affect accuracy. For example, “Manhattan’s share … decline” needs a past-tense verb (“declined”), and “76% the city’s population” requires “of.” In “79,126 of whom lives in Manhattan,” the relative clause is awkwardly formed and the verb does not agree with the plural antecedent; a clearer sentence would be “of whom 60,515 lived in Manhattan.” The final sentence also has a faulty phrase, “the city’s of total population.” Use consistent past tense and check clause structure, agreement and prepositions.

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