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 tables given below shows the collective population ratio of NewYork as well as the population changes of the five districts of the city. All the information included in these tables covers the time period from 1800 to 2000.

We can see the rapid increase in the population of New York city including all five districts as illutsrated by first table. A significant increase in the population figures is being observed during 1800 to 2000.

Table 2 talks about the population of one of the district called Manhattan. In 1800 its population was just in thousands, but in 1900 its population had taken a huge jump to lakhs, but in 2000 we have observed a few thousands decline in its population.

Table 3 gives us data regarding population of other districts including Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island. According to this table, we can see how a population starting from a few 18 thousands, now expanding to a huge number like 6 lakhs in just two centuries.

This can be concluded that, the New York's population seems to be increasing with time, so it must have sufficient facilities for its residents to enjoy a decent lifestyle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad trends: New York’s total population grew, while Manhattan’s population rose and then fell, and the other districts expanded. However, the account is only partially developed because it gives few precise comparisons and misreports key figures. For example, Manhattan had about 1.85 million residents in 1900 and 1.54 million in 2000, not merely “a few thousands decline”; the other districts reached about 6.47 million, not “6 lakhs.” The overview also misses the striking shift in population share: Manhattan fell from 76% to 19%, while the other districts rose from 24% to 81%. Focus on accurate figures and the most significant contrasts, and avoid adding an unsupported conclusion about facilities and lifestyle.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, a paragraph for the total population, and separate paragraphs for Manhattan and the other districts. This makes the main topics easy to follow. Linking phrases such as “According to this table” and “This can be concluded” also signal relationships between ideas, although the latter introduces a conclusion that is not needed for a data summary. Progression is somewhat mechanical, with each paragraph describing a table in turn rather than bringing the figures together for comparison. The overview is also split across the opening paragraphs and does not clearly summarise the key contrast. A more effective structure would give a concise overview, then group the details by the changing fortunes of Manhattan and the other districts.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary, including “rapid increase,” “population figures,” “decline,” and “expanding,” so the topic is generally clear. However, the range is limited and several choices are imprecise or informal for describing statistical data. “Population ratio” does not accurately describe the total population, while “taken a huge jump” and “a few thousands decline” are awkward expressions. The use of “lakhs” and “lakhs”/“lakhs” style units is also unsuitable here; report the figures in millions to make the comparisons clear. There are noticeable spelling and form errors, such as “NewYork” and “illutsrated.” Use precise terms such as “accounted for,” “increased to,” and “fell to,” and check spelling and collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex sentences, including “According to this table, we can see how…” and “This can be concluded that…”. The meaning is usually understandable, but some grammatical errors reduce accuracy. The opening has subject–verb disagreement: “The tables … shows” should be “The tables … show.” In “one of the district,” the noun should be plural, and “This can be concluded that” is not a well-formed construction; use “It can be concluded that” or, better for this task, state the trend directly. The sentence about Manhattan also has an unclear time construction (“during 1800 to 2000”). Continue practising agreement, articles and natural clause patterns, while varying sentence structures and proofreading punctuation.

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