Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The three different table below shows changes in the total population of New York City from two centuries. The second and third tables show changes in the population of the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) throughout the same period.

overall , the estimate population of new york city. the percentage of tatal population raise and fall in different period throuhout three centuries.

first of all three different yesrs from 1800 to 2000. In New York city the pouplation in five districts .in 1800 the population is 79,216 in 1900, the average population is [redacted phone].in 2000, the overall population is increaded upto [redacted phone].

on the first hand the District Manhattan percentage of population is hihest in 1800 as compared other four districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island).Their average percentage is 24%. In 1900 the total population of Manhatton is 54% meanwhile other district population steadily increase upto 46%. In twentieth century the overall population of Manhattan fall upto 19%.on the other hand other four districts population raised upto 81% over the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main broad pattern: New York City’s population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share declined and the other districts’ share increased. The figures for the city total and the percentage shares are generally reported accurately. However, the overview is unclear (“the percentage … raise and fall”) and does not clearly summarise the key contrast. There is also a factual error: Manhattan’s population was 1,538,096 in 2000, but the response gives only its percentage, and “other district population steadily increase” is imprecise because the table groups four districts together. The response is 141 words, below the 150-word minimum; 36 words copied from the prompt are excluded. Develop the overview and compare the actual population figures as well as the shares.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic sequence, moving from an introduction to an overview, then the city totals and district shares. Connectors such as “first of all” and “on the other hand” show an attempt to guide the reader. However, progression is difficult to follow because the overview is fragmented and the paragraphing does not clearly separate the main trends. Some linking phrases are inaccurate or mechanical: “on the first hand” does not introduce a clear contrast, and “meanwhile” joins figures without explaining their relationship. References such as “their average percentage” are also unclear. Organise the response into a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two data-focused paragraphs, using links that express the precise comparison.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “population,” “percentage,” “districts,” “overall,” and “increased,” so the reader can recognise the subject and broad trends. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the meaning unclear. For example, “average population” is not appropriate for the city’s total, “percentage … raise and fall” is an awkward description of changing shares, and “population raised” is less natural than a verb such as “grew.” Spelling errors, including “pouplation,” “Manhatton,” and “throuhout,” also reduce control. Build a small set of accurate trend and comparison expressions and check spelling before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts both simple statements and longer comparisons, for example, “In 1900 … meanwhile other district population steadily increase.” However, sentence structures are limited, and errors in verb forms, articles, agreement, and punctuation occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to interpret. The opening sentence lacks a clear grammatical structure, while “the population is 79,216 in 1900” confuses the time reference and tense. Capitalisation and spacing are also inconsistent, and several sentences run together without appropriate punctuation. Practise forming complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and use past-tense forms consistently when describing historical data. Short, accurate comparisons would improve clarity before you attempt more complex structures.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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