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)

This is have three tables and the first table describe shows changes in the total population of New York city from two thousand years from 1800 to 2000. The second and third table show changes in the popluation of the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over the 1800 to 2000. Now, the second paragraph I describe the three tables.

First table is describe years 1800,1900 and 2000 in the New York City. In 1800 New York city popluation is 79,216. In 1900 New York City popluation is 3,437,202 and the last is 2000. In this year New York City popluation is a huge rise this is 8,009,185.

Now, the second table describe the main district Manhattan in 1800 Manhattan popluation is 60,515 and the percentage is 76% of total popluation. In 1900 Manhattan popluation is 1,850,093 and the percentage is 54% of the total popluation and the 2000 Manhattan popluation is 1,538,096 and the percetange is 19% of total popluation.

Moreover, the third table show the 4 district Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. In 1800 these district have popluation is 18,701 and the percentage is 24% of the total popluation. In 1900 these district have popluation is 1,587,109 and the percentage is 45% of the total popluation. In 2000 this is a hige rise in popluation this year have 6,471,089 popluation and the percentage is 81% of the total popluation.

Now, I see these three tables and these 4 district in 2000 this is a huge number of people.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You report the main figures for the city, Manhattan, and the other districts, and the data you give is generally accurate. You also identify the broad rise in the population of the other districts by 2000. However, the response mainly lists figures rather than selecting and summarising the key trends. It needs a clear overview, such as noting that the city’s total population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s population share fell and the other districts became dominant. The 1900 share for the other districts is given as 45%, whereas the table shows 46%. The final comment that the districts had “a huge number of people” is vague and does not add a meaningful comparison.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response is divided into paragraphs, and the sequence broadly follows the tables: total population, Manhattan, then the other districts. This gives the reader some organisation. However, there is no clear overall progression from an overview to selected details; instead, the writing repeatedly announces what each paragraph will describe. Phrases such as “Now, the second paragraph I describe” and “Now, I see these three tables” are mechanical and do not help connect the information. The final paragraph repeats a point already made rather than drawing the main comparisons together. Improve cohesion by opening with a concise overview, grouping related trends, and using clear links such as “By contrast” to compare Manhattan with the other districts.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

Your vocabulary is sufficient to name the places, years, populations, and percentages, so the basic information is understandable. However, the range is limited and several words or phrases are repeated, especially “population,” “describe,” and “huge.” Some choices are inaccurate or unnatural, as in “a huge rise in population this year have” and “a huge number of people.” There are also spelling errors, including “popluation,” “percetange,” and “hige,” which reduce accuracy. Use more precise trend language and vary your reporting verbs—for example, describe figures as “stood at,” and explain that a share “declined” or “increased.” This would make the summary more concise and appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

Most sentences use simple patterns, and the repeated year–figure structure allows the reader to follow many of the facts. However, grammatical errors are frequent, and attempts to form longer sentences are often faulty. For example, “This is have three tables” has an incorrect verb construction, while “In 1800 Manhattan population is 60,515” uses an unsuitable tense and lacks a possessive form or article. In “these district have population is 18,701,” the subject, verb, and sentence structure do not agree. Use past-tense reporting consistently, check singular and plural agreement, and build complete sentences around each comparison. A wider mix of accurate simple and compound structures would improve clarity.

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