Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

These three tables illustrate changes in the population of a city and districts. The first table demonstrate population changes of New York City, between 1800 and 2000. The second and third tables represent five district of the city(Manhattan,Brooklyn,Bronx,Queens,Stalen Island) changes in the population over the same period as first table.

Overall, In 1800 quantity of population is lowest as compare to overall period, But In 2000 population is cross over 8 Million ,it's increases significantly. Manhattan district is ranked first in 1800, because it's cover 76% population of overall population, But in 2000 is rapid fall to only 19% and other districts are significantly increase in 2000.

On the one hand, population of New York City has been increases significantly over the last two centuries

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad trends: New York City’s population grew substantially, Manhattan’s share fell, and the other districts’ share rose. The figures you do include—over 8 million in 2000 and Manhattan’s change from 76% to 19%—match the tables. However, the report is incomplete: it gives no specific population figures for 1900 or 2000 beyond “over 8 Million,” and it does not explain that Manhattan’s population itself peaked in 1900 before declining. The final sentence is unfinished, and the response contains 125 words, below the required 150. Add a complete comparison of all three years and the key shift from Manhattan to the other districts to address the task more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic structure: an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph beginning “On the one hand.” The overview also attempts to group the citywide growth with the changing district shares. However, progression is limited because the final paragraph stops after one incomplete idea, and there is no developed comparison of the data across the three years. Linking phrases such as “On the one hand” suggest a contrast, but no corresponding “on the other hand” point follows. Capitalisation and punctuation are inconsistent, and the long introductory sentence makes the district names difficult to read. Use separate, purposeful paragraphs for the overall trends and supporting figures, with clear links between comparisons.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “population,” “district,” “percentage,” and “significantly,” so the main subject is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, such as “quantity of population,” “ranked first,” and “cover 76% population.” “Stalen Island” is also misspelled, and “it's” is repeatedly used where the possessive “its” is intended. These errors make parts of the report awkward and occasionally unclear. Aim for precise, conventional expressions for describing data, such as “population total,” “accounted for,” and “the largest share,” and check spelling and apostrophe use carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a sentence with “because” and a contrast introduced by “But.” However, errors are frequent and sometimes make the relationships between ideas difficult to follow. Examples include “The first table demonstrate,” “population … has been increases,” and “it's increases significantly,” where subject–verb agreement and verb forms are not controlled. Articles, plurals, and sentence boundaries also need attention: “five district” should be plural, while “On the one hand” introduces a sentence that remains unfinished. Practise accurate past-tense descriptions of the historical data and check each sentence for a clear subject, correctly formed verb, and complete ending.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.