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's the change in popupaltion in New york city from 1800 to 2000.In 1800 the population of New york city was 79,216 which is devastingly less ass compared to today.The population gradually increases year after year.New york city has 5 districts,Population is increased in all districts.In 1800 population was 79,216 and the popultion in 1900 increased to 3,437,202.This increase is significant, The population is increased multiple times.In 2000 the population reached 8,009,185.It increased more then then previous century.
In district Manhattan the population was 60,515 in 1800,Which was the 76% of total population of New york city.In 1900 the population increased to 1,850,093 which makes the 54% of the total population in 1900.In 2000 the population in Manhattan decreases to 1,538,096 which makes around 19% of total popu;lation of New york city.
In 1800 the other districts have population of 18,701 which makes total of 24 percent of total population.In 1900 the population jumped from 18,701 to 1,587,109 which makes the total of 46%.In 2000 reached 6,471,089 which makes 81% of total population.
As we commpare these tables we can see that the total population of New york city is increased whereas in districts it varies in some distritcts it is increased and in some it is decreased.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You report the main figures for the city overall and for Manhattan and the combined other districts, and the figures you give match the tables. You also identify the key contrast: Manhattan’s population share falls, while the other districts’ share rises. However, the overview is not clearly separated or fully developed. The final claim that population “varies in some districts” is imprecise: the table groups four districts together, so it does not show which individual districts increased or decreased. Also, describing the city’s growth as gradual is not supported by only three data points. Make the overview explicit and focus on the strongest comparisons, especially Manhattan’s population peak in 1900 followed by a decline by 2000, against continued growth elsewhere.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a basic, useful structure: it moves from the city total to Manhattan and then to the other districts. This makes the figures reasonably easy to locate. However, progression within the opening paragraph is repetitive: the total population is stated more than once, and phrases such as “This increase is significant” and “It increased more then then previous century” repeat the same point without adding comparison. The final sentence also introduces a broad conclusion that is not clearly linked to the grouped data. Use a concise overview before the detailed figures, then organise comparisons by trend. More accurate linking and reference would help the reader follow how each percentage relates to the total.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “population,” “total population,” “increased,” “decreases,” and “reached,” so the basic meaning is generally clear. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or repetitive. “Devastatingly less” is inappropriate for a neutral statistical report, while “jumped” is informal and “increased multiple times” is vague. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “popupaltion,” “popultion,” and “commpare,” which reduce the accuracy and polish of the response. Aim for precise reporting verbs and comparison language, and proofread spellings carefully. This would make the account clearer and more suitable for an academic summary.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
Most of your sentences communicate the intended figures, and you attempt some longer structures using “which,” for example, “which makes the 54% of the total population.” However, the response relies heavily on simple sentence patterns, and errors recur in sentence boundaries, agreement, articles, and verb forms. For instance, “The table illustrate's” has incorrect subject–verb agreement and punctuation, while “The population is increased” uses an incorrect passive form. Several sentences run together without appropriate spacing or punctuation, such as the opening sequence. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and vary sentence structures while keeping them controlled. Check agreement and article use, and separate each complete sentence with clear punctuation.
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