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)

There are 3 tables given below. The first table below shows chnages in total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third shows changes in the population of the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queen, Staten Island) over the first period.

At the first, we will discuss all five districts of New York City. In the year 1800, The population is 79,216. In the year of 1900, The population according to the table is 3,437,202. And in the year 2000, The total population is 8,009,185.

Now we will discuss the second table named Manhattan. There are 3 information given year, population and as percentage of total population. In year 1800, The population is 60,515 with 76% of total population. In year 1900, the information of population given in the table is 1,850,093 with 54% of all population. And in the year 2000, the population is 1,538,096 with 19% of total population.

At the last we will discuss other districts like Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten island. In the year 1800, the total population is 18,701 with 24% of total population, In the year 1900, 1,587,109 is total population with 46%. At the last, In the year 2000, the ratio of population is 6,471,089 with 81%. In all the three tables, most of the population is in the year of 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You include the main figures for all three years and both population groups, and the numbers reported are generally accurate. However, the response mainly lists data rather than summarising the key patterns. The final statement that “most of the population is in the year of 2000” is imprecise: the important comparison is that Manhattan’s population share fell from 76% to 19%, while the other districts’ share rose from 24% to 81%. You also say the district tables cover the period “over the first period,” which does not accurately describe the full 1800–2000 span. Add a clear overview of these contrasting trends and select the most significant comparisons rather than describing each table in turn.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic sequence, moving from the city total to Manhattan and then the other districts, so readers can identify which data you are discussing. However, the organisation is largely a repeated list, with little overall progression from an overview to supporting details. Phrases such as “Now we will discuss” and “At the last” are mechanical, and the repeated “In the year…” openings make the writing feel repetitive. The final sentence does not effectively bring the comparisons together. Use a brief overview after the introduction, then group details by trend—for example, the city’s growth and the changing balance between Manhattan and the other districts. This would make the relationships between the figures clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant basic terms such as “population,” “total,” and “percentage,” and the reader can generally understand the figures being reported. However, the vocabulary is limited and repetitive, with “population” and “table” appearing frequently. Some choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing data: “the ratio of population” is used for a population figure, and “most of the population is in the year of 2000” does not clearly express the trend. There are also spelling and naming slips, including “chnages,” “Queen,” and inconsistent capitalisation of “Staten Island.” Build a more precise range for reporting change and comparison, and check spelling and place names carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

Most sentences use simple structures, and the repeated year-and-figure pattern makes the basic information understandable. However, the range is limited, and errors occur often enough to make some sentences awkward. For example, “The second and third shows” has subject–verb disagreement, while “There are 3 information given year” has problems with number, article use, and sentence construction. Capital letters are also used inconsistently after commas and within sentences, as in “In the year 1800, The population…” Try combining related figures with accurate comparative structures, such as “Manhattan’s share fell from… while the other districts’ share increased.” Check agreement, articles, plurals, and punctuation when editing.

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