Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-23
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 first table illustrates the changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables show changes in the districts population.
The second table shows changes in the Manhattan distrct. The other districts are: Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.
The overall change in the population of New York City across all districts. In 1800 the popluation is consist of 79,216 people and by the change over time in 1900 these numbers goes to 3,437,202. In 2000 the total population of New York City is 8,009,185. In 1800 76% of the population belongs to Manhattan district and the remaining 24% of the population belongs to all other districts. In 1900 46% of the population belongs to Manhattan district and the remaining 46% of the population belongs to all other districts. In 2000 19% of the population belongs to Manhattan district and the remaining 81% of the population belongs to all other districts.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5
You identify the overall population figures for all three years and report the broad shift in population share from Manhattan to the other districts. However, the response does not provide a clear, accurate overview of the main trends, and it contains a key data error: in 1900, Manhattan accounted for 54%, not 46%; the other districts accounted for 46%. The statement that both groups had 46% is therefore incorrect. The district population figures themselves are also omitted, so the comparison is incomplete. In addition, the response contains 138 words, below the required 150-word minimum; the 22 words copied from the task prompt were not counted. Include a concise overview and select key figures to support the comparisons.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5
The response follows a basic sequence, introducing the tables before moving through the years, so the reader can identify the subject and chronology. However, the opening repeats information already given in the task, and the paragraph beginning “The overall change” is not a clear overview: it moves directly into figures without first summarising the main pattern. The repeated “In 1800… In 1900… In 2000…” structure makes the report feel like a list, while links between the total population and district shares are limited. The short opening paragraphs also do not create a useful structure for the report. Group the information into an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph comparing the key changes, using linking language to show the contrast between Manhattan and the other districts.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
Your vocabulary is sufficient to identify the topic and report basic numerical information, with phrases such as “total population,” “remaining,” and “belongs to.” However, the range is limited and several choices or spelling errors reduce precision: “districts population” is an awkward phrase, “distrct” and “popluation” are misspelled, and “these numbers goes” is not a natural way to describe a rising total. Repeating “population” and “belongs to” also makes the account less varied. Use accurate terms for proportions and change, such as “accounted for,” “share,” and “rose to,” and check spelling carefully. More precise vocabulary would help distinguish population totals from percentages without making the report unnecessarily complicated.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response uses mostly simple sentence patterns, and the figures are generally presented in sentences that are understandable. However, grammatical control is inconsistent, particularly in verb forms and sentence construction. For example, “the population is consist of” should be “the population consisted of,” while “these numbers goes” has incorrect subject–verb agreement and tense. The fragment “The overall change in the population of New York City across all districts” is not a complete sentence. The repeated use of “belongs to” also produces awkward sentence patterns. To improve, write complete sentences and practise past-tense reporting forms, such as “the population rose to” and “Manhattan accounted for.” Vary sentence structures only after these basic forms are accurate.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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