Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-29

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 provided three tables illustrate information about the population of New York city from 1800 to 2000 and change in population of five district of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queen, Staten Island) over the same period.

Overall, in first table the population grew rapidly in last hundred year. In second table of Manhattan in starting it consist a large percentage of total population New York but at the end it drop down sharply. In third table of other district they consist very small proportion of total population in 1800 but at the ending it increase sharply to its peak.

Turning to the data of first table, in 1800 the population of New York is 79,216 then it show increment of 2.5 lakh in first ten decade but it show a great growth of around 4.5 lakh in 2000.

Moreover, looking to the data of second table, the population of Manhattan is 60,515 in starting but cover a major part of total population. then it show growth in population but declined in percentage of total population to 54% from 76% and in 2000 its population is 1,538,096 and percentage reach to its lower level at 19%.

Lastly, observing the data of third table of other districts such as Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island. They all have population of 18,701 in 1800 containing around one-fourth of total population of New York. In 2 centuries it show a sharp increase in population by reaching to 6,471,089 and percentage of 81 and become at top replacing Manhattan.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main comparisons: New York’s total population rose, Manhattan’s share fell, and the other districts’ share increased. The figures for Manhattan and the other districts in 1800 and 2000 are accurately reported, and you note Manhattan’s 54% share in 1900. However, the total-population account is materially inaccurate: the city grew from 79,216 to 3,437,202 in 1900 and then to 8,009,185 in 2000, not by “2.5 lakh” and “4.5 lakh.” You also omit the 1900 population of the other districts. The overview identifies the broad shifts, but the total trend and some supporting details need clearer, accurate development.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for the total, Manhattan, and the other districts. This makes the main comparisons easy to locate, and signposts such as “Moreover” and “Lastly” help guide the reader. The progression is not always smooth, however: the overview refers to the “second” and “third” tables, while the body’s comparisons sometimes repeat the same information rather than building on it. Some links are mechanical, and the reference in “They all have population of 18,701” is unclear because that figure belongs to the other districts collectively, not each district individually. Grouping the figures by year or by contrasting trends would make the progression more cohesive.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant data-reporting vocabulary, including “percentage,” “declined,” “sharp increase,” and “proportion,” so the reader can follow the broad trends. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations sound unnatural, such as “show increment,” “cover a major part,” “at its lower level,” and “become at top.” “In starting” and “at the ending” are also imprecise for describing time periods. These choices sometimes make the intended comparison less clear, particularly in the overview. Aim for standard chart language such as “rose,” “accounted for,” “fell to,” and “became the largest share,” and check spelling and forms such as “Queens” and “districts.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, including clauses linked with “but” and “and,” and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, errors in sentence structure and grammatical forms are frequent enough to make some passages awkward. For example, “in starting it consist a large percentage” has problems with tense, agreement, and article use; “then it show growth” also needs a past-tense verb. The sentence beginning “Lastly, observing the data…” is a fragment, while “They all have population” lacks an article and has an unclear subject. Capitalisation and punctuation are inconsistent, including the lower-case “then” after a full stop. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and complete sentence construction before adding more complex clauses.

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