Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-27

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 provides the information about the population that we see from 1800 to 2000 in all five districts of New York City. In other two tables represent the the total population of New York city as percentages. The second table table show the data of Manhattan district only and the third table shows the population percentage of other four districts of the city.

Overall the population of New York City was exponentially increased over the time from 79,216 to more than 8 million in 2000. On the other side second and third table is divided into three section of year, population, and as percentage of total population.

In 1800 the population of Manhattan is about 76% which is on its peak on that time but it gradually go down and in 2000 it is dealing only of 19% population. In contrast the four district's population exponentially increased from 24% of total population to 81% of the total population of New York City which is 6.4 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall change: New York City’s population rose from 79,216 to over eight million, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share grew. The figures of 76%, 19%, 24% and 81% are accurately reported, and you also give the other districts’ 2000 population as about 6.4 million. However, coverage is uneven: the substantial rise in the total population by 1900 is not described, and Manhattan’s population itself rose to 1,850,093 in 1900 before falling to 1,538,096 in 2000. The overview also calls the increase “exponential,” which is not established by the three data points. Clarify the distinction between population totals and percentages, then report the key intermediate figures to develop the comparison more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction to an overview and then to comparisons of Manhattan and the other districts. Linking phrases such as “Overall” and “In contrast” help signal the direction of the discussion. However, the introduction is confusing: “In other two tables represent the the total population” does not clearly explain what each table shows, and the overview’s comment about the tables being divided into sections does not report a meaningful trend. Some references, including “the second and third table,” are repetitive and do not always make the relationship between the data clear. Organise the body around the population totals and changing shares, and use clearer references so each paragraph advances the comparison.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “population,” “percentage,” “gradually,” “in contrast” and “increased.” These choices make the main comparisons understandable. However, several expressions are imprecise or unnatural for a table summary: “exponentially increased” overstates what the figures demonstrate, “on its peak” is not an appropriate description of a share, and “dealing only of 19% population” is unclear. There is also repetition of “population” and “table,” while “district’s” is used where a plural possessive is needed. Aim for precise reporting language and natural collocations, such as “accounted for,” “declined to” and “rose substantially.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including the contrast in “In contrast the four district’s population…” and the time relationship in “it gradually go down and in 2000…”. The overall meaning can generally be followed, but errors in sentence construction and verb forms are noticeable. For example, “In other two tables represent” lacks a grammatical subject, “the second table table show” has repetition and incorrect subject–verb agreement, and “it gradually go down” uses the wrong verb form. Articles and number agreement also need attention in phrases such as “the four district’s population.” Check each sentence for a clear subject and verb, and use past-tense forms consistently when describing the historical data.

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.