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 overall number of people who lived in New York City between 1800 to 2000 year. The second and third tables also presents the total change of population in five districts of the city which are Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.

Overall, from the three tables, it is shown that most of the population are increasing in New York City rather than other five city's.

In 1800, 79.216 people lived in New York City, whereas only 18,701 people lived in other districts ( Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island). On the other hand 76% (60515) people lived in Manhattan which was much higher percentage than Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island (24%).

Then in 1900, New York city and other districts population increased in 3,437,202 and 6,471,089 (81%)respectively but Manhattan population percentage decreased from 76 to 54% which was 1,850,093.

In the end, in 2000, New York City contains the highest people among other disticts and Manhattan which is 8,009,185. But Manhattan's percentage is the lowest among all, that is 19% (1,538,096). On the othet hand other districts population percentage increase from 46% to 81% (6,471,089).

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main broad pattern: New York City’s population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. You also include relevant figures for all three years. However, some key data are misreported: in 1900, 6,471,089 and 81% describe the other districts in 2000, not 1900; the correct 1900 figures are 1,587,109 and 46%. The overview is also unclear when it says “most of the population are increasing,” and it does not clearly summarise the contrast between Manhattan’s population peaking in 1900 and then declining, while the other districts continued to grow. Check each figure against its year and make the overview more precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs moving through 1800, 1900 and 2000. Time markers such as “Then in 1900” and “In the end, in 2000” help readers follow the sequence. However, the progression is weakened by unclear comparisons and some inaccurate linking: “On the other hand” does not clearly connect the figures in the 1800 paragraph, and the 1900 paragraph combines the city total with figures that actually belong to the other districts in 2000. The overview also repeats a general claim rather than organising the main trends. Grouping Manhattan’s figures separately from those for the other districts would make the comparisons easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “overall,” “percentage,” “increased” and “decreased,” and the reader can generally understand the topic. However, the range is limited and several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “total change of population,” “most of the population are increasing,” and “contains the highest people.” Spelling slips such as “disticts” and “othet” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise population-reporting collocations and avoid repeating “population” where a clearer phrase is available. For example, describe a population as rising or falling, and refer to a district’s share of the city total rather than saying its percentage is “the lowest among all.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and longer sentences, including comparisons with “whereas” and “which,” but grammatical control is uneven. Examples include “between 1800 to 2000 year,” “the second and third tables also presents,” and “most of the population are increasing,” where prepositions, subject–verb agreement and sentence construction need correction. Articles and punctuation are also inconsistent, as in “New York city” and the spacing around parentheses. These errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the general topic, but they make several sentences awkward or unclear. Practise accurate comparison patterns, such as “from 1800 to 2000,” and check agreement between each subject and verb.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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