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 increase of Big cities population during past centuries, We can note that there is diffirance between each city.And all this changes happen due to life futures available in each city.

To begin with the New York city, in 1800s population of city is only 79,216 ,but later by reaching 1900s the population increased to 3,437,202.And with beging of 2000s the number become more than double with 8,009,185 population of New York city.

If we want to make comparision during last centuries between New York city with Manhattan and other districts. In 1800s, we will find that Manhattan population is 60,515 which is 76% of New York, and other districts only 18,701 which is 24% of New York. Futhermore in 1900s, Manhattan population became 1,850,093 and other districts to 1,587,109 and its 54% , 46% of New York city population.

Lastly we will make comparsion in 2000s, we will notice crazy increase in other districts population to 6,471,089 which is 81% of New York population during same time. and unfortuntly we see decrease in Manhattan population to 1,538,096 and its 19% only.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You report the main population figures for all three years and make relevant comparisons between Manhattan and the other districts. The shift in their shares is especially clear: Manhattan falls from 76% to 19%, while the other districts rise from 24% to 81%. However, the response does not provide a clear, concise overview of the most important trends; the opening instead makes unsupported claims about “life futures” and differences between cities. Some descriptions are also imprecise: the city’s population in 2000 was more than double its 1900 figure, but this comparison could be stated directly, and the district figures would benefit from a clearer summary of Manhattan’s rise to 1900 followed by its decline. Focus on the tables and select the key overall changes rather than adding speculation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic chronological structure, moving from the city total to district comparisons in 1800, 1900 and 2000. Paragraph breaks and signposts such as “To begin with,” “Furthermore” and “Lastly” help readers follow the sequence. However, progression is not consistently clear: the opening refers to “Big cities” and “each city,” although the data concern New York and its districts, and the final paragraph begins a new sentence with lowercase “and.” Linking phrases are sometimes mechanical, while references such as “its 54%, 46%” make it unclear which percentage belongs to which district. Organise the report around an overview and two focused comparison paragraphs, and use explicit references such as “Manhattan accounted for 54%, compared with 46% in the other districts.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “population,” “increased,” “decrease” and “percentage,” so the main information can generally be understood. However, the range is limited and several spelling and word-choice errors are noticeable, including “diffirance,” “comparision,” “Futhermore” and “unfortuntly.” Some expressions are also unsuitable or imprecise for an academic report: “crazy increase” is informal, and “life futures available” does not clearly express a relevant idea. Aim for neutral, precise language and accurate collocations, such as “the population rose substantially” or “the proportion declined.” Proofreading spelling and avoiding conversational or evaluative wording would make the report more appropriate and easier to read.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the reader can usually identify the figures and comparisons. However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently in sentence construction, articles, verb forms and punctuation. For example, “in 1800s population of city is only” lacks articles and uses an unsuitable tense; “the number become more than double” has an incorrect verb form and construction; and “and its 19% only” is an incomplete, awkward clause. Commas and full stops are also often missing or misplaced, as in the opening and the long sentence beginning “If we want to make comparision.” Practise complete, controlled sentences using past-tense reporting verbs, and separate each comparison clearly with accurate punctuation.

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