Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-30

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 table show in the total population of New York City and its five districts in 1800, 1900 and 2000. They also compare the population of Manhattan with the other four districts.

Overall, the population of New York City increased greatly over the period. Manhattan had the largest share of the population at the beginning, but the other four districts became much more populated by the end.

In 1800, New York City had a total population of 79,216 people. Manhattan had 60,515 residents, which represented 76% of the total. The Other districts had only 18,701 people making up 24%. By 1900, the total population had grown to 3,437,202. Manhattan had 1,850,093 people while the Other districts had 1,587,109.

in 2000, the total population reachead 8,009,185. However Manhattan population fell to 1,538,096 represented only 19%. In contract the population of the Other four districts increased significantly to 6,471,089 accounting for 81% of the total. this s

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main trend accurately: the city’s population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share grew. The figures you give for 1800, 1900 and 2000 match the tables, and the overview makes a relevant comparison. However, the response is only 147 words, below the required 150, and the final sentence is cut off (“this s”), leaving the report incomplete. The overview could also be more precise by noting that Manhattan’s population itself rose to a peak in 1900 before declining by 2000, rather than focusing only on its share. Add a complete concluding comparison and ensure the report meets the minimum length.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs presenting the figures chronologically. This helps the reader follow the broad changes, and linking expressions such as “Overall,” “By 1900” and “However” signal relationships between points. At times, though, the progression is weakened by inconsistent capitalisation at the start of “in 2000” and by awkward or unclear links, particularly “In contract,” which does not clearly express the intended contrast. The final fragment, “this s,” also interrupts the ending and makes the report feel unfinished. Use a clear paragraph break for the detailed comparisons, choose accurate transitions, and finish with a complete sentence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing population data, including “increased greatly,” “largest share,” “represented” and “accounting for.” These choices make the main comparisons understandable. However, the range is somewhat repetitive, with “population,” “total” and “districts” appearing frequently, and some expressions are not natural or precise: “The table show in” and “In contract” do not communicate the intended meaning idiomatically. There are also spelling errors in “reachead” and the incomplete “this s.” Aim for more accurate data-reporting collocations and check spelling carefully. For example, use “the table shows” and “by contrast,” and vary “population” with “number of residents” where appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple statements and longer sentences, including the relative clause in “Manhattan had 60,515 residents, which represented 76% of the total.” Most of the data remains understandable, but errors occur in basic sentence construction and agreement: “The table show in” lacks a correct verb pattern, and “Manhattan population fell to 1,538,096 represented only 19%” needs a grammatical link between the clauses. The final fragment is also incomplete, and capitalisation is inconsistent at “in 2000.” Practise forming complete sentences with accurate subjects and verbs, and connect related information with a relative clause or a conjunction, such as “which represented only 19%.”

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