Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The table displays the information about total population changes in new york city between 1800 to 2000.While the second and third table demonstrartes the population changes of the city in five districts in same period.
Overall,In new york city
In 2000,all five districts in new york city accounted highest population by [redacted phone] followed by In 1900 is the second highest population accounted for [redacted phone] and 1800 is the least by 79216.
In Manhattan,1800 is the fhighest percentage by 76% of total population while 1900 is the second highest percentage by 54% and 2000 is the least by 19% of the total population.
In others five districts 2000 year is the higher population accounted by 81 %of total population while 1900 accounted for 46%. In contrast 1800 accounted for 24% in total population.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
You identify the broad rise in New York City’s population and the changing shares of Manhattan and the other districts, using several accurate figures: the city total reaches 8,009,185 in 2000, while Manhattan’s share falls from 76% to 19%. However, the response is only a partial summary. It does not clearly report the key contrast that Manhattan’s population itself rose to 1,850,093 in 1900 and then declined to 1,538,096 by 2000, while the other districts grew substantially. The overview is also left unfinished (“Overall, In new york city”). The required minimum of 150 words is not met, which limits the development of the main features. Add a complete overview and describe the population trends, not only the rankings and percentages.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
There is some organisation: the response begins with an introduction and then discusses the city total, Manhattan, and the other districts in separate sections. However, the progression is not clear because the overview is unfinished and the paragraphs do not develop a connected comparison. Repeated patterns such as “is the second highest” and “accounted for” make the report feel like a list, while “In contrast” does not introduce a clear contrast in the final sentence. Punctuation and spacing also make boundaries difficult to follow, for example “Overall,In” and “In 2000,all”. Use a clear overview followed by logically grouped comparisons, and connect the figures with accurate linking phrases.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
Your vocabulary is sufficient to identify the topic and report basic comparisons, including “total population,” “percentage,” “followed by,” and “In contrast.” However, the range is limited and several expressions are repeated or unnatural, such as “population accounted by” and “is the higher population accounted.” These choices make some comparisons less clear. There are also spelling and capitalisation problems, including “new york,” “demonstrartes,” and “fh highest,” which reduce accuracy and polish. Aim for precise reporting verbs and collocations, such as “the population stood at,” “the share fell to,” and “the other districts’ combined population increased.” Check spelling and use consistent capitalisation for New York City and Manhattan.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response attempts a few longer structures, including the opening contrast beginning “While,” but sentence control is limited and errors occur frequently. The opening has an incomplete construction: “While the second and third table demonstrates…” is not joined to a main clause. Other examples include “between 1800 to 2000” instead of a correct time-range pattern, and “In 2000, all five districts… accounted highest population,” where the sentence structure and comparison are unclear. Articles, prepositions, agreement, and punctuation also need attention. Most sentences follow a similar simple pattern, so the range is narrow. Practise complete sentences with accurate past-tense reporting, for example: “The city’s population rose from 79,216 in 1800 to 3,437,202 in 1900.”
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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