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 table illustrates the changes in the population of New York City from 1800 to 2000 of all five districts in the first table.

Firstly, the population of all distric cities that are in New York showing the 1800 year of population which was 79,216. Then the second next year the population 3,437, 202 which is increasingly up as compared to the previous year. In 2000 poulation was changed to 8,009,185.

In the second table shows the individual city which is MAnhattan City of population in the New York City. In 1800 year population was 60,515 and we calculate the percentage that is 76%. Meanwhile 1900 of poulation were 1,50,093 percentage 54%. And the last Manhattan city of 2000 year population are 1,538,096 and also percenatge is 19% which is less increased as compared to the 1800 and 1900 year.

Lastly, the table shows the other 4 cities which are Brooklyn , Bronx, Queens, Staten Island in 1800 of year were population is 24% . In 1900 of year population was 1587,109 calculating percenatge is 46% are double. Last population in 4 cities of New York are 6,471,089 and the percentage are 81% this one is more rapidly grows.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You report the overall population figures and include data for Manhattan and the other districts, so the response is relevant to the tables. However, the main trends are not clearly summarised: there is no concise overview highlighting the city’s strong overall growth, Manhattan’s declining share after 1900, and the other districts’ increasing dominance. Some figures are also inaccurate: Manhattan’s 1900 population is given as “1,50,093” rather than 1,850,093, and the other districts’ 1800 population is omitted in favour of the 24% share. Develop the key comparisons and check figures carefully; this would make the report more complete and accurate.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic sequence, moving from the total population to Manhattan and then the other districts, and paragraph breaks help distinguish these sections. However, progression within paragraphs is often unclear, and linking phrases such as “Firstly,” “Meanwhile,” and “Lastly” do not consistently make the relationships between figures clear. For example, “Then the second next year” is confusing, while “this one is more rapidly grows” does not clearly connect the final comparison to the preceding data. Use a clear overview followed by organised comparisons, and connect each figure to the trend it demonstrates. More precise referencing would also help readers follow which population or percentage is being discussed.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “population,” “percentage,” and “districts,” and attempt to describe change with phrases such as “increasingly up” and “more rapidly grows.” However, the range is limited and several choices or forms are unnatural, making parts of the report difficult to interpret. Examples include “all distric cities,” “individual city,” and “less increased”; these do not express the intended comparisons precisely. Spelling errors such as “poulation” and “percenatge” also recur. Build a more accurate set of terms for describing trends and proportions, such as “rose,” “accounted for,” and “declined,” and check spelling and collocations before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, but control is inconsistent, and errors frequently affect clarity. For example, “In the second table shows” lacks a grammatical subject, while “population was changed to 8,009,185” uses an unsuitable passive construction. There are also problems with articles, agreement, and sentence formation in “the population are 6,471,089” and “In 1800 year population was 60,515.” Most sentences rely on basic patterns, and attempts to combine information often produce faulty structures. Practise forming complete subject–verb sentences and use consistent past-tense reporting, for example, “The population rose to…” or “Manhattan accounted for…”. Check agreement and articles in each sentence.

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