Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The first table illustrates about the population changes of New York City between 1800 and 2000. The second and third tables also shows changes of the population of the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over the same period.

Overall, the total growth of the population of the New York City (all five districts) is getting higher day by day. At the last year it hit the most highest among all the year. Among the cities, on the third table other districts last year was highest among all. I can see a clear peak among all of cities by the year.

On the first table, In 1800 the total population was 79216 and by the year 1900 it goes up at [redacted phone]. In the year 2000 population peak at [redacted phone], which was highest among all the year.

In the second table in Manhattan, in the year 1800 population was 60515 which was 76% of total population. Similarly, in 1900 it was [redacted phone] and 54% o total percentage. In year total percentage was only at 19%. On the third table other districts in the year 1800 and 1900 population was 24% and 46%. Year 2000 it was at rise 81%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad rise in New York City’s population and include figures for 1800, 1900 and 2000, while also noting Manhattan’s declining share and the other districts’ increasing share. These are relevant features, and the figures you give for the total population and Manhattan in 1800 and 1900 are accurate. However, the overview is unclear and repetitive: phrases such as “getting higher day by day” and “clear peak among all of cities” do not clearly summarise the key contrast. The 2000 Manhattan population and percentage are omitted, and the other districts’ population figures are not reported. Also, “In year total percentage was only at 19%” lacks the year and population context. A clearer overview and more complete, accurate comparisons would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable four-paragraph structure: an introduction, an overview and two detail paragraphs. It also uses basic sequencing markers such as “Overall,” “On the first table” and “Similarly,” so the reader can see which table is being discussed. However, progression within paragraphs is often weak, and some links are repetitive or unclear. For example, “Among the cities, on the third table other districts last year was highest among all” does not make the comparison easy to follow, while the final paragraph moves from Manhattan to the other districts without a clear transition. The reference to “In year” also leaves the reader unsure which year is meant. Organise the details by year or by district and use precise links between comparisons.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “population,” “total,” “percentage,” “districts” and “peak,” and the reader can generally identify the subject of each paragraph. However, the range is limited and several expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, which makes some comparisons difficult to understand. Examples include “the most highest,” “highest among all of cities,” “population peak at,” and “it was at rise 81%.” “Getting higher day by day” is also unsuitable for data covering three separate years. Aim for precise reporting language such as “increased,” “accounted for,” “reached” and “the largest share.” Avoid repeating “highest” when describing a general upward trend, and choose phrases that clearly distinguish population totals from percentages.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and several basic statements communicate the figures successfully, such as “In 1800 the total population was 79216.” However, grammatical errors are frequent, and attempts to combine information often produce faulty or incomplete sentences. For example, “The second and third tables also shows” has subject–verb disagreement; “by the year 1900 it goes up at” uses an unsuitable tense and preposition; and “In year total percentage was only at 19%” is missing necessary grammatical elements. The final sentence, “Year 2000 it was at rise 81%,” also lacks a clear subject and has an incorrect verb construction. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and complete sentence patterns, especially when comparing figures and percentages.

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