Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Introducing the population of new york city between 1800 to 2000. Also show the population of the all five districts between that time frame as well.

The new York city is the main city of United States of America and there population in 1800 is 79,216 but after the century its total population calculated is 3,437,202 in 1900. Its quite big difference in 100 years. After the time in 1900 its increasingly more faster around 8,009,185 in 2000. For example after the time and years the development is increasing more rapidly in thus city as compared low value states.

In the same time frame between 1800 to 2000 there is alot of changes in these five districts like Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. 76% percentage of total population in Manhattan in 1800 is 60,515. In 1900 the total population is 1,850,093 there is bug difference in one century population and if we measured the percentage its around 54% and onward in 2000 the percentage hoes down to 19% and total number is 1,538,096.

And all other districts have many population changes between the 1800 to 2000 timeframe. Its approximately 18,701 in 1800 and onward to 2000 its 6,471,089.

The conclusion is that In these districts the population is rapidly increasingly if we compared this after the century.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You report the overall rise in New York City’s population and include relevant figures for all three years, as well as Manhattan’s changing share and the other districts’ 2000 population. However, the response only partially summarises the tables: it does not give the other districts’ 1800 and 1900 figures or their changing shares, and it misses the key contrast that Manhattan’s population fell between 1900 and 2000 while the other districts grew sharply. The overview is also unclear: the conclusion says population increased in “these districts” without identifying this contrasting pattern. Focus on the main trends and compare the groups directly, rather than adding unsupported context such as the city’s status or comparison with “low value states.”

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has separate paragraphs for the citywide figures, Manhattan, and the other districts, so the reader can identify the broad topics. However, progression within and between paragraphs is uneven. The opening fragment, “Introducing the population…,” does not establish a clear overview, and the final conclusion repeats the general idea of increase rather than bringing the comparisons together. Linking phrases such as “after the time,” “in the same time frame,” and “onward” are repetitive or imprecise, while “And all other districts” does not clearly connect the figures to the earlier discussion. Organise the report around an overview followed by clear comparisons, using time markers and references that show how each figure relates to the previous one.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary, including “total population,” “percentage,” “districts,” and “time frame,” which helps communicate the subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or informal, sometimes making the meaning less clear. For example, “increasingly more faster” is not a natural way to describe growth, and “the percentage hoes down” appears to mean that the share falls. “Bug difference” and “alot of changes” are also unsuitable for a formal report. Use precise terms such as “rose,” “declined,” “accounted for,” and “population share,” and check spelling and word forms. Avoid vague phrases such as “after the time” when a specific year or period is available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts some longer sentences, but grammatical control is inconsistent, and many sentences contain errors that can make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. The opening, “Introducing the population…,” is a fragment, while “there population in 1800 is” has an incorrect possessive and verb construction. Tense and sentence structure are also problematic in “after the century its total population calculated is,” and the sentence beginning “In 1900 the total population is…” joins several ideas without clear punctuation. Most statements rely on simple patterns, with limited accurate use of complex structures. Practise complete sentences, consistent past-tense reporting, and punctuation that separates comparisons; for example, state the year, figure, and trend in a clear independent clause.

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

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