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 indicates data of population of five districts in the city of New York from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the table provides population data in New York City that increased at the end of 2000. Manhattan district was the most populated at the end of 19th century, but it population declined, and take over by other districts such as Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.

New York City had 79,216 population in 1800, where majority people were the residents of Manhattan, which accounted total of 76%. In 1900, the district accumlated for 54% of the population, but the proportion fell sharply to 19% in 2000. At the end of 2000, Manhattan total population is 1,538,096, while other states account for 6,471,089

Population in other districts in New York City have increased over time and 2000 at stands at 81%. As compare to its early data, they accumlated accounted for 24% in 1800. In contrast to Manhatten, the population total numbers was 1,587,109 in 1900, with the percentage of 46%, while district Manhattan had 54%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall changes: New York City’s population grew substantially, Manhattan’s share fell, and the other four districts became dominant. The figures you give for 1800, 1900 and 2000 are consistent with the tables, including Manhattan’s decline from 1,850,093 to 1,538,096 and the other districts’ rise to 6,471,089. This makes the response relevant and covers the key comparison. However, the overview is imprecise: “increased at the end of 2000” does not clearly describe the city’s growth across the whole period, and “take over” is not explained precisely. Develop the overview by stating that the total rose at each date and that Manhattan’s population peaked in 1900 before falling, while the other districts continued to grow.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and separate paragraphs for Manhattan and the other districts. This helps the reader follow the broad comparison, and linking expressions such as “Overall” and “In contrast” show an attempt to connect ideas. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear. For example, the sentence beginning “New York City had 79,216 population in 1800” moves from the city total to Manhattan’s share without clearly distinguishing the two. The final paragraph also repeats the 1900 comparison rather than building a clear chronological account. Use topic sentences to signal each paragraph’s focus and arrange figures consistently by year or by district; make references such as “the district” explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “population,” “proportion,” “accounted for,” “declined” and “increased,” so the main trends can generally be understood. There is also some attempt to vary expression rather than relying only on “went up” or “went down.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “the table indicates data of population,” “take over by other districts,” and “other states” for the other districts. Spelling errors in “accumlated” and “Manhatten” also reduce accuracy. Aim for standard chart-reporting phrases such as “the table shows population figures,” “was overtaken by,” and “the remaining four districts,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more developed sentence forms, including a contrast with “but” and a comparison introduced by “while.” The intended meaning is usually recoverable, but errors in sentence structure and grammatical forms are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward. Examples include “it population declined,” “New York City had 79,216 population,” and “Population in other districts … have increased … and 2000 at stands at 81%.” These involve possessive or article use, agreement, tense and incomplete or misplaced phrasing. Keep the data descriptions in a consistent past tense, and use complete patterns such as “The population of Manhattan was…” and “The other districts’ share rose to…”. Proofread each sentence for a clear subject and verb.

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