Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-26

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 table illustrate the total population of the New York City and it distributes to its five districts( Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over the same period since 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the residents of New York City are dramatical increased over 100 Years. In 1800, indivisuals are 79,216 and in next 100 years it reaches to 3,437,202. In 2000, the Residents are double to the recent year.

Manhattan population has 60,515 in 1800 and it is the 76% of the total peoples and in the next centuary it is dramatical change in it and it goes to 1,850,093. In 2000, the Residents are 19% of the total population.

Moreover the individuals that are live in other districts their population is too short. In 1800 the population of the other districts is 18,701 and it is 24% of the total residents and in 1900, it has increadble change in it. the population goes to 46% of the total population. In the next century the individuals are 6,471,089 and it the 81% of the total peoples.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You include the main population figures for the city and both district groups, and you report the changing shares of Manhattan and the other districts. However, the overview is incomplete: it says the city’s population increased but does not identify the key contrast that Manhattan’s population peaked in 1900 and then fell, while the other districts continued to grow. The statement that the 2000 total was “double to the recent year” is inaccurate; it was more than twice the 1900 figure, not exactly double. Some comparisons are also left unclear, such as the change in Manhattan’s share from 54% to 19%. A clearer overview and more precise comparisons would make the response more fully address the task.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to Manhattan and then the other districts. This gives the reader some organisation, and words such as “Overall” and “Moreover” signal transitions. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear: the overview mixes figures with an imprecise comparison, and the Manhattan paragraph does not clearly connect its population figures to its changing share. Cohesive phrases such as “in the next century” are repeated without always making the time reference precise. The final paragraph also contains several ideas joined in a way that makes their relationships difficult to follow. Organise each paragraph around a clear comparison and use accurate time references and linking expressions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “total population,” “districts,” “residents,” and “percentage,” so the subject is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms are inaccurate, sometimes making the meaning awkward: “it distributes to its five districts,” “the population is too short,” and “increadble change.” Spelling errors such as “indivisuals,” “centuary,” and “increadble” are noticeable. “Dramatical” is also not the appropriate form in “are dramatical increased.” Aim for precise, conventional language for describing data, such as “rose sharply,” “accounted for,” and “declined,” and check spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and longer sentence forms, but grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make relationships between ideas unclear. For example, “The table illustrate” has subject–verb disagreement, while “the residents … are dramatical increased” uses an incorrect verb construction. The opening phrase “it distributes to its five districts” is also structurally unclear. Articles and prepositions are often missing or inaccurate, as in “it is the 76%” and “it reaches to 3,437,202.” Sentence boundaries and capitalisation are inconsistent, particularly in “the population goes to 46%.” Use straightforward, controlled sentences first, checking agreement, tense, articles, and verb patterns; then add complex structures only when you can maintain accuracy.

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