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 tables illustrate the total population of New York City and its five districts( Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the total population of the New York City is a dramatical change between 1800 to 2000. In 1800 citizens that are lived in New York City is 79,216 and over 100 years the peoples are 3,437,202. In 2000 residents are are triple and it has 8,009,185.

Moreover the population of Manhattan in 1800 was 60,515 and it is 76% of the total citizens. In 1900 the population is 54% of the total individuals and in 2000 the population is 19% of the total peoples.

Furthermore, the population of other districts is 18,701 in the 1800 century and it is 24% of the total individuals. In 1900, the residents goes to 1,587,109 and it 46% of the total individuals. It has a rapid change in peoples. In 2000, the population is 6,471,089 and it 81% of the total residents. From all above the other districts population is much better in the 2000 however in 1800 to 1900 the residents are very decreased in it.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You report the main figures for the city total, Manhattan and the other districts, and the percentages make the changing distribution clear. However, the overview is not sufficiently precise: “a dramatical change” does not identify the key pattern, and “residents are triple” misrepresents the increase from 3.4 million to 8 million, which is more than double but not triple. The most important comparison is that Manhattan’s population rose to a peak in 1900 before falling by 2000, while the other districts grew substantially and became the majority. This change is not clearly stated. The final claim that other-district residents “are very decreased” from 1800 to 1900 also contradicts the figures, which show a sharp increase. Select and explain these trends more accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overall statement, and separate paragraphs for Manhattan and the other districts. This helps the reader locate the information. However, progression is limited because the body paragraphs mostly list figures rather than develop comparisons across the three years. Linking expressions such as “Moreover” and “Furthermore” are repetitive, while “From all above” does not create a clear or natural conclusion. Some references are also unclear, particularly “it” in “it has a rapid change in peoples.” To improve, organise the body around the contrasting trends—Manhattan’s rise and subsequent decline versus the continued growth of the other districts—and use clear references and a small range of accurate transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “population,” “districts,” “residents” and “percentage,” so the subject is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unnatural. “Dramatical change” is not the appropriate form or phrase here; “dramatic increase” would be more suitable. “The population is much better” does not express a population comparison, and “peoples” is not the correct plural for people in this context. Repeated use of “total individuals” and “total citizens” also makes the description less precise. Aim for standard data-reporting language such as “accounted for,” “rose,” “declined” and “share of the total population,” using each term accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, but the range is limited and errors occur frequently, sometimes making relationships between ideas difficult to follow. For example, “citizens that are lived” has an incorrect relative clause and verb form; “the residents goes” has subject–verb disagreement; and “it 46%” is missing a verb. Tense use also shifts between past and present when describing historical data, as in “was” followed by “is.” Articles and sentence construction need attention too, as in “the New York City” and “In 2000 residents are are triple.” Practise writing clear past-tense comparisons, checking that every clause has a subject and verb, and proofreading for agreement and repeated words.

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