Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-25

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)

Three tables are illustrating data of growing population in New York city and five districts between 1800 to 2000.

First table illustrates overall population of New York city and five districts for year 1800, 1900, and 2000. While second and third table illustrate population data of five districts along with percentaage of total poulation.

First table describes that population grew up to approximately seventy nine thousand in year 1800, thirty four lakhin year 1900, and eighty lakh in year 2000 in new york city and five respective districts. second and third table describe growth in population with percentage. Manhattan district have grown popuation upto 76% , %4%, and 19% for year 1800, 1900, and 2000 respectively. On ther other hand, four districts have grown population upto 24%, 46%, and 81% for years 1800, 1900, and 2000 respectively. All three tables are having data of increased population for three different years along with percentage growth of total population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the broad pattern that New York’s population increased and report the changing shares of Manhattan and the other districts. However, the response does not clearly summarise the most important comparisons: Manhattan’s population rose to 1,850,093 by 1900 and then fell to 1,538,096, while the other districts continued to grow to 6,471,089 by 2000. The total figures are also substantially misreported: “thirty four lakh” and “eighty lakh” do not accurately represent 3,437,202 and 8,009,185. The overview mainly repeats that population increased, without highlighting the shift in population share away from Manhattan. Select the key trends accurately and distinguish population totals from percentages.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic sequence: it introduces the tables, describes the total population, and then compares Manhattan with the other districts. This gives the reader a general sense of the topic. However, the progression is limited because the first two paragraphs largely repeat what each table shows, and the final sentence restates that the population increased rather than drawing the comparison together. Linking words such as “While” and “On the other hand” are attempted, but the first is not connected to a complete contrast, and the comparison would be clearer if the figures were grouped by trend. Organise the report around an overview followed by the total-population trend and the changing district shares.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “overall population,” “percentage,” “districts,” and “grew,” so the topic is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms are inaccurate or repetitive: “illustrating data of growing population,” “grown population upto,” and “data of increased population” are not natural ways to describe these tables. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “percentaage,” “poulation,” and “popuation,” which reduce clarity. Use precise reporting language and check spelling carefully. For example, describe a population as “rose” or “increased,” and say that a district “accounted for” a particular share of the total.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and a contrast structure, as in “On the other hand, four districts…,” but the range is limited and errors occur frequently. For example, “Manhattan district have grown” has subject–verb disagreement, while “First table illustrates” and “second and third table describe” omit articles and do not consistently mark plural subjects. The opening sentence also uses an awkward construction, “Three tables are illustrating,” and the sentence beginning “While second and third table…” is incomplete as written. These errors sometimes make relationships between ideas harder to follow. Practise accurate present-simple reporting structures, articles, and complete sentences, such as “The tables show…” and “Manhattan’s population rose…”.

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