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 first table illustrates changes in the total number of residents of New York City between 1800 and 1900. The second and third figure show changes in the population of different 5 districts of the city throughout the period.

It is clear that, the total population of New York city increased dramatically over the period.While, In the begining, the Manhattan accounted for the highest percentage and other 4 districts recorded as the highest proportion at the end of the era.

In 1800 looking at the first table in detail, New York city recorded 79,216 population that was lowest over the period. In 1900, totall number of residents was 3,437,202 and then in 2000, the number of population sharply increased at 8,009,185.

Turning to the other tables, Manhattan recorded as the highest proportion of the population in 1800 at 76% and other 4 districts recorded as the lowest percentage at 24%. In 1900, Manhattan stood at 54% and other districts at 46%.Other districts had the highest number of residents in 2000 at 81% and Mahhattan stood at 19%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main overall pattern: New York City’s population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share grew. You also include the key figures for all three years, and the percentages accurately show the changing distribution. However, the opening says the tables cover 1800 to 1900, omitting 2000, and the overview’s phrase “highest proportion at the end” is unclear about which districts it refers to. The response mainly lists figures rather than highlighting the important contrast that Manhattan’s population peaked in 1900 and then declined, while the other districts continued to grow. A clearer overview and more precise comparisons would make the main features more fully addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs presenting the figures. The sequence from the city total to the district breakdown is sensible, and phrases such as “In 1900” and “Turning to the other tables” help signal movement between points. However, progression is weakened by unclear or awkward links, including “While, In the beginning” and the abrupt transition from the overview to the detailed figures. The final paragraph also combines several comparisons without clearly distinguishing population counts from percentages. Use more direct topic sentences and connect each comparison explicitly—for example, contrast Manhattan’s falling share with the other districts’ rising share—to make the organisation easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “total population,” “percentage,” “proportion,” and “sharply increased,” and the meaning is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “recorded as the highest proportion,” “number of population,” and “other 4 districts.” Repetition of “recorded” and “stood” also makes the account less flexible. There are noticeable spelling errors, including “begining,” “totall,” and “Mahhattan,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for precise collocations and vary how you describe changes and shares; for example, say that a group “accounted for” a percentage or that its population “rose to” a figure.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and more complex forms, such as “In 1900, total number of residents was…” and the contrast introduced by “While.” However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors in articles, sentence boundaries, and punctuation recur. Examples include “It is clear that, the total population…” and “While, In the begining,” where commas interrupt the sentence incorrectly. In “Manhattan recorded as the highest proportion,” the verb pattern is incomplete; use “Manhattan accounted for…” instead. Some sentences also omit articles, as in “New York city recorded 79,216 population.” Focus on complete sentence patterns, accurate articles, and punctuation, then check each sentence for a clear subject and verb.

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