Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-31

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)

Introduction: the table illustrate New york city ( all five districts) the population increased thoughout the period ([redacted phone]). The manhattan had increased the population over period but percentage fell the period ([redacted phone]). Moreover, other four disdtrict the population was increased dramaticallly thoughout the period and also risining the percentage ([redacted phone]). Body paragraph 1:In 1800, The New york city (all five districts) population was [redacted phone]. Manhattan population was 60515 and the 76%. But other four district the population is 18701 and 24% the Manhattan was increased population and percentage comparing other four districts.In 1900, New yiork city was the the population [redacted phone] the Mnhattan popluation increased [redacted phone] but the slighty fell 54%. other four district was increased population [redacted phone] and also risien the 46%. Body paragraph 2: In 2000, the population of New york city ( all five district) was [redacted phone] and population of Manhattan was slighty decreased [redacted phone] as comparing to 19000 year and fell the percentage also 19. the other four district was increased the population dramatically thoughout the period [redacted phone] population and 81%. Overall, the New york city ( all five district) population increased dramatically thoughout the period ([redacted phone]). Manhattan was also increased the population but fell percentage and other four district was increased the population and also percentages .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main stages and make relevant comparisons between Manhattan and the other four districts. The figures you report are generally accurate, including the city totals and the changing shares: Manhattan falls from 76% to 19%, while the other districts rise from 24% to 81%. Your overview also identifies the overall population growth and the contrasting percentage trends. However, one important distinction is unclear: Manhattan’s population rose from 60,515 to 1,850,093 by 1900, then declined to 1,538,096 in 2000; the overview’s claim that it increased over the whole period obscures this final fall. The other districts’ growth is clearer, but the overview could state more precisely that they became the majority by 1900 and dominated by 2000.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two chronological body paragraphs and a concluding overview. This makes the information broadly easy to follow, and time markers such as “In 1800,” “In 1900” and “In 2000” help signal progression. However, the introduction and final paragraph repeat much the same overview, while some comparisons are crowded into long, unclear sentences—for example, “the Manhattan was increased population and percentage comparing other four districts.” Connections between figures and trends are therefore sometimes difficult to follow. Use clearer sentence boundaries and organise each body paragraph around a direct comparison, rather than linking several facts with “and” or “but.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “population,” “percentage,” “increased,” “decreased” and “dramatically,” so the reader can identify the main subject and trends. However, the range is limited and several choices or forms are inaccurate or repetitive, such as “risining,” “slighty,” and “the population was increased.” Repeated use of “increased” also makes the account less precise, especially when describing Manhattan’s rise to 1900 and subsequent decline. Aim for accurate trend language and natural collocations, such as “accounted for,” “rose,” “fell” and “the population of.” Check spelling carefully, and avoid using “dramatically” unless the comparison supports that emphasis.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, and the reader can usually understand the intended comparisons. However, control is inconsistent: errors in verb forms, agreement, articles and sentence construction occur across the response. For example, “the table illustrate” needs subject–verb agreement, while “the population was increased” uses an incorrect passive form for this trend. The sentence beginning “In 1900, New yiork city was the the population” is also difficult to parse, and punctuation and capitalisation are inconsistent. Practise building accurate comparison sentences with a clear subject and verb, such as “Manhattan’s population rose, but its share of the city total fell.” Greater control of these patterns would make your ideas easier to follow.

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