Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-22

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 illustrate the population of New york city and the distribution of Manhattan and other four district in [redacted phone] and 2000. Overall the total population iof New york increased significantly over the period.Manhattanhad the largest share of the population in 1800 and 1900.While the other district became much more populated by 2000. in 1800 the population of new york city was 79216. Of this number 60515 people lived in Manhattan as persentage of total population is 76%.In comparison the other districthad only 18701 residents representing 24%.By 1900 the city population had risen dramatically [redacted phone]. Manhattan total residency was [redacted phone] and the persentage of population is 54%. by the comparison of other districts accomodation representing [redacted phone] representing the 46%.In 2000 the population of new york city had grown [redacted phone]. Manhattan population decrease to [redacted phone] and its propotion had represent the 19%. Meanwhile the other district population had increase sharply and show the persentage of total population is 81%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main information across all three years, including the city’s overall growth and the changing balance between Manhattan and the other districts. The figures you report are consistent with the tables, and the overview correctly identifies Manhattan’s majority share in 1800 and 1900 and the other districts’ dominance by 2000. This gives the response a relevant, clear summary. However, some comparisons are less fully developed: for example, you could explicitly note that Manhattan’s population rose to a peak in 1900 before falling by 2000, while the other districts grew substantially in both population and share. More precise reporting of these contrasting trends would make the key features clearer and more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and chronological details for 1800, 1900 and 2000. This makes the information generally easy to follow, and phrases such as “In comparison” and “Meanwhile” help signal contrasts. However, the progression is sometimes weakened by mechanical or unclear linking, including “by the comparison of other districts,” and the long run-on presentation makes paragraph boundaries difficult to see. Some references are also imprecise, such as “the other district,” when several districts are being grouped together. Use clear paragraph breaks and simpler transitions, and connect each year’s figures directly to the trend being compared. This would make the organisation more consistently smooth.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “distribution,” “share,” “representing,” “increased significantly” and “grown.” These choices show an adequate range for the task, and the main meaning is usually understandable. However, several word-choice and spelling problems reduce precision: “accomodation” does not describe population, “residency” is awkward in this context, and “propotion” is misspelled. There is also repetition of “population” and “representing,” while phrases such as “show the percentage” are less natural than standard chart language. Aim for accurate collocations such as “the population of,” “accounted for,” and “the proportion of the total,” and check spelling carefully. This would make the description more precise and natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more developed sentence forms, and the chronological sequence is generally conveyed. Some clauses communicate the intended comparisons, for example, “Meanwhile the other district population had increase sharply.” However, errors in verb forms, articles, agreement and sentence boundaries occur in several places. Examples include “the table illustrate,” “population had increase,” and “Manhattan population decrease to”; these should use appropriate agreement and tense, such as “illustrates,” “had increased,” and “decreased to.” Missing or misplaced punctuation also joins ideas awkwardly, particularly around the overview and year-by-year details. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build sentences around a clear subject and verb. Greater control of these patterns would improve clarity while retaining your attempts at varied structures.

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