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 first table illustrates the changes in total population of New York city between 1800 and 2000.The second and third tables compares the changes in the population of the five districts of the city from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the total population of New York city was more in 2000 year rather than in 1900,1800. Manhattan contained the higher percentage of total population in 1800 year. In other districts table, 2000 was the year when these districts had the higher percentage in terjs of total.

In the first table, the population of New York city was 79,216 in 1800, it's number incrreased and reached the 8,009,185 in 2000year. Turning to the second table, the percentage of Mahattan in terms of total population declined after every 100 year. It started from 76 oercentage of total in 1800 and fell to 19 percent in 2000year.

In the third table, the percentage of other four districts of New york city increased in term of total population. Initialy in 1800 year, it was 24% of total population. After that, the percentage rose dramatically and reached the 81 percent of total population in 2000 year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall contrast: New York’s total population was highest in 2000, Manhattan’s share declined, and the other districts’ share increased. The figures you include—79,216 in 1800, 76% for Manhattan initially, and 81% for the other districts in 2000—match the tables. However, the overview is imprecise: “more in 2000 year rather than in 1900,1800” does not clearly describe the scale of growth, and the account omits the important fact that Manhattan’s population rose to 1,850,093 in 1900 before falling to 1,538,096 in 2000. The total population figures for 1900 and the other districts’ population figures are also not reported. Include these key comparisons to make the summary more complete and developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details about the total population, Manhattan, and the other districts. This makes the information generally easy to follow. Paragraphing is appropriate, and transitions such as “Overall,” “Turning to,” and “In the third table” help signal shifts. However, the progression is somewhat mechanical, and the overview repeats points that are then restated in the detail paragraphs. Some references are unclear, as in “In other districts table,” and the final paragraph gives only one stage of the trend after its starting point. Grouping the figures into clearer comparisons—for example, contrasting Manhattan with the other districts across all three years—would create a more connected account.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant vocabulary for describing tables and trends, including “declined,” “fell,” “increased,” and “rose dramatically.” These choices communicate the broad direction of change. However, the range is limited and several phrases are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “was more in 2000 year,” “higher percentage,” and “in term of total population.” Spelling errors, including “Mahattan,” “incrreased,” and “Initialy,” also reduce accuracy. Use more precise language for population and proportions, and check spelling carefully. For example, distinguish a population that “increased” from a percentage share that “rose,” and use “the largest share” rather than “the higher percentage.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more developed sentence forms, including “Turning to the second table, the percentage of Manhattan … declined” and “After that, the percentage rose …”. The main trends remain understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “The second and third tables compares” has subject–verb disagreement, while “the population … was 79,216 … it’s number increased” joins clauses incorrectly and uses an unsuitable possessive form. Articles, prepositions, and time expressions are also inconsistent in phrases such as “in 2000year” and “in 1800 year.” Improve sentence boundaries and agreement, and use consistent forms such as “in 2000” and “the population increased.”

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