Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-28

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 first table illustrates the changing in the total population of New York city between 1800 to 2000.The second and third tables illustrates changes in the population of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten island from 1800 to 2000 in percentage.

In first table, the total population of New York city was 79216 in 1800 which was increasing and became [redacted phone] in 1900 and then the population was increasing so fast and became [redacted phone] in 2000.

In second table, the population of Manhatthan was 60515,which was 76% of the total. poulation in 1800.which was decreased and became 54% and the population was [redacted phone] in 1900.But in 2000 the population decreased rapidly in became [redacted phone], which was just 19% of the total population.

In 1800, the population of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island was 18701, which was 24% of the total population and then increased rapidly and became about double with 46% and the population was [redacted phone] in 1900, But in 2000, the population was [redacted phone] which was 81% of the total population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You report the main population figures and make the important comparison between Manhattan and the other four districts. In particular, you show Manhattan’s share falling from 76% to 19%, while the other districts’ share rises from 24% to 81%. However, there is no clear overview that summarises the dominant pattern, and some descriptions are imprecise: the other districts did not become “about double” between 1800 and 1900; their population rose from 18,701 to 1,587,109. Also, the opening says the second and third tables give district populations “in percentage,” although they show both population totals and percentages. A concise overview and more accurate descriptions of the scale of change would make the response more complete and clear.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response follows a generally understandable order: it first describes the city total, then Manhattan, and finally the other districts. This makes the figures relatively easy to locate. However, the organisation is somewhat mechanical, with repeated openings such as “In first table” and “In second table,” and there is no separate overview to guide the reader through the main trends. Some links are also awkward or unclear, particularly “which was decreased” and the transition beginning “But in 2000.” Grouping the information into a clear introduction, overview, and two comparison-focused detail paragraphs, with more varied and precise linking, would improve progression and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “total population,” “increased,” “decreased,” and “percentage,” so the basic meaning is usually clear. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms are inaccurate, such as “the changing in,” “in percentage,” and “increased so fast.” “Became about double” is also an imprecise description of the very large rise in the other districts’ population. Spelling and presentation errors, including “Manhatthan,” “poulation,” and inconsistent capitalisation of place names, further reduce control. Aim for accurate data-reporting collocations and use a wider set of terms such as “rose sharply,” “accounted for,” and “share of the total.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to connect ideas in longer sentences using “which,” “and,” and “but,” and the reader can generally follow the intended comparisons. However, the range of sentence structures is limited, and complex sentences are often faulty. Examples include “The first table illustrates the changing … between 1800 to 2000,” where the time expression and comparison structure are not controlled, and “which was decreased,” which uses an incorrect verb form. There are also errors in agreement (“the second and third tables illustrates”) and sentence boundaries, including missing spaces after full stops and commas. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build shorter, well-punctuated sentences before combining them.

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