Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The table illustartes the total population of New York City in the year 1800, 1900, and 2000. Second and third table show the population of other districts, and also the percentage of population of the same years.

Overall, the population of all the five districts of New York city is increasing with the passage of time. District Manhattan had the higest population in the year 1800, and it had been decreasing with the passage of time. The popullation of other four districts was low in number but it is increasing with time.

In the year 1800 New York has the lowest number of popullation, and it increased in 1900. In the year 2000 number of popullation increases in a significant portion. In Manhattan district, the popullation in the year 1800 was low but had the higest number of population. In the year 1900, there is an increased in the number of popullatio, but the percentage of total population decreased. The year 2000 has the higest number of population, but the percentage of total population decreased to 19 percent only.

The population of other districts increased and also the number of total population increased with the passage of time. In the year 2000 , the ratio of total population is 81.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main overall pattern: New York City’s population grew, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. You also include relevant figures such as Manhattan’s 19% share in 2000. However, several key details are unclear or inaccurate. Manhattan’s population did not keep decreasing: it rose from 60,515 in 1800 to 1,850,093 in 1900, then fell to 1,538,096 in 2000. The statement that it had the “highest number” in 2000 is therefore misleading. The city’s total population figures are not reported, and the final “ratio” of 81 is incomplete; it should be identified as 81% of the total. Select and compare the main figures more precisely to develop the summary fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs containing details. This gives the reader some organisation. However, progression is weak because ideas are repeated rather than developed: population growth is mentioned several times, and the final paragraph largely restates that the other districts increased. Connections between claims are sometimes unclear, particularly in the Manhattan paragraph, where the population is described as both increasing and having the highest number in 2000. Linking phrases such as “In the year” are used repeatedly and do not clearly show comparisons. Organise the details by time period or by Manhattan versus the other districts, and use clearer references and contrast markers to guide the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “total population,” “percentage,” “district,” and “increased,” so the topic is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several expressions are repetitive or imprecise, such as “with the passage of time,” “number of population,” and “ratio of total population.” Spelling errors, including “illustartes,” “higest,” and “popullation,” are noticeable and reduce accuracy. Some word choices also obscure the data: “the ratio … is 81” does not specify that this is a percentage. Build a more precise vocabulary for describing figures and shares, and check spelling carefully. For example, use “population” rather than “number of population,” and “accounted for 81%” rather than “ratio … is 81.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the overall meaning can usually be followed. However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently in sentence construction and verb forms. For example, “Second and third table show” is missing articles, while “there is an increased” uses an incorrect verb pattern. Tense and agreement are also inconsistent in “the population … is increasing” and “the population … was low … but it is increasing.” The sentence “The year 2000 has the highest number” does not express the intended time relationship clearly. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and comparisons, using patterns such as “rose from … to …” and “while its share fell.” Check articles and subject–verb agreement when editing.

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