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 following tables illustrate changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, population in the New York grew tremendously over the years. All the districts in New York had a rise in population but some rose more than the others in certain years.

Moreover, population in the New York grew from 79,216 in 1800 to 3,437,202 in the 1900 and 8,009,185 in 2000. A total of 76% of 79,216 pertains to Manhattan alone and the remaining 24% is among the other districts. Similarly, 54% of the population in the 1900 and 19% of that in 2000 pertains to Manhattan.

However, as the percentage of the population in Manhattan declined the population in other districts eventually rose significantly throughout the years. In 1800 only 24% of the population resided in other districts which include Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. These districts had major increase in their population in the year 1900 and 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad rise in New York City’s population and the changing balance between Manhattan and the other districts, which are relevant features. However, the overview says that all districts rose, although the figures show Manhattan’s population fell from 1,850,093 in 1900 to 1,538,096 in 2000. The response also gives no actual population figures for the other districts in 1900 or 2000, and the claim that they had a “major increase” is not quantified. The 2000 share for Manhattan is mentioned, but its population is omitted. The response is 146 words, below the 150-word minimum; the 13 words copied from the task prompt are excluded from the count. Develop the key comparisons more fully and ensure the overview reflects the contrasting trends.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs presenting figures and comparisons. The sequence from the overall population to the district shares is generally understandable. However, progression is limited: the final paragraph repeats the shift in percentages without giving the corresponding population figures, and “Moreover” and “However” do not always signal the relationship between ideas precisely. For example, “However” introduces a point that continues the comparison rather than clearly contrasting with the preceding paragraph. Some references, such as “these districts,” are understandable but the discussion remains broad. Group the information by time period or by contrasting Manhattan with the other districts, and use linking expressions only where they clarify the relationship.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary such as “population,” “percentage,” “declined,” and “rose significantly,” so the topic is clear. There is some variation in describing change, but the range is limited and several phrases are awkward or repetitive. “Population in the New York grew” is repeated and is not a natural collocation; “the population of New York City increased” would be clearer. “A total of 76% of 79,216 pertains to Manhattan” is also imprecise, since the percentage describes the share of the city’s population, not a percentage of the number itself. “Had major increase” is an unnatural phrase. Use precise terms such as “accounted for,” “share,” and “rose substantially,” and avoid repeating “population” where a clear reference can be used.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and more complex sentences, including the contrast in “as the percentage … declined, the population in other districts … rose.” Most of the meaning remains understandable, but errors in sentence construction and grammatical forms are noticeable. For example, “population in the New York” has an unnecessary article and an incomplete noun phrase; “in the 1900” should be “in 1900.” In “A total of 76% of 79,216 pertains,” the verb form does not fit the past-time description, and “54% … and 19% … pertains” also has a subject–verb agreement problem. The final sentence, “These districts had major increase,” needs an article or plural form. Check articles, agreement and tense consistency, while retaining the complex comparisons you attempt.

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