Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-24

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 first table depicts the variations in the overall population of New York City. In addition, other two tables illustrates the changes in the polulants of the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island) over the period of 1800 to 2000.

Overall, residents of New York City rose up significantanly, whereas, Manhattan's polulation dropped respectively. Moreover, other districts polutants increased throughout the period as same as New York City.

Initially, In 1800 there were only 79,219 polulants after hundered years polulation grew up to 3,437,202 in 1900 and 8,009,185 in 2000. Simply, population of the city increased thoughout the period.

On the other hand, Manhattan polulation was 76% in 1800, then faced a drastic fall to 54% in 1900. Similarly, in 2000 there was a signicant fall to 19% only. Besides, other districts , initially polulation was 24% as the time passes in 1900 polulation grew up to 46%, constantly rising ended up on 81% in 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main changes and provide an overview: the city’s population rose substantially, Manhattan’s share declined, and the other districts’ share increased. The figures for the district percentages are accurately reported, and the overall population figures for 1900 and 2000 are correct. This meets the task well, with some features more fully reported than others. However, the 1800 total is given as 79,219 rather than 79,216, and the response focuses on percentages for the districts without reporting their population counts, despite these being shown in the table. To strengthen the summary further, include a key count comparison—for example, Manhattan’s population peaked in 1900 and then fell by 2000, while the other districts grew markedly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for the city total and district shares. This makes the main comparisons reasonably easy to follow. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “On the other hand,” and “Similarly” help signal relationships between points. However, some connections are mechanical or unclear: “Moreover” introduces a point that largely repeats the overview, while “Besides” does not clearly mark the contrast intended. The final paragraph also combines both district groups in a long sequence, with punctuation that interrupts the flow. Use clearer topic sentences and organise the district figures into a more controlled comparison, linking each year consistently.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “overall population,” “drastic fall,” and “increased,” and the reader can generally understand the intended trends. However, the range and control are limited by repeated use of “population” and inaccurate or unnatural expressions such as “polulants,” “grew up,” and “ended up on 81%.” Several spelling errors—including “significantanly,” “polulation,” and “throughout”—are noticeable and reduce precision. Choose standard demographic terms such as “residents” or “population,” and use natural trend collocations: populations “rose” or “increased,” while a percentage “reached” a level. Check spelling carefully, especially for key words repeated throughout the report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple and more complex sentences, and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. Some sentence patterns are effective, such as “In 1800 there were only…” followed by later figures. However, errors in sentence structure, agreement, articles, and punctuation recur. For example, “other two tables illustrates” has an agreement and article problem, while “Overall, residents … rose … whereas, Manhattan’s…” uses punctuation incorrectly around the contrast. The sentence beginning “Besides, other districts…” is also difficult to control because several time points are joined without clear clause boundaries. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement and build comparisons with complete, clearly punctuated clauses; this will make your range more reliable.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.