Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-01

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)

These given tables bellow illustrate the variation happend in overall population of New York City between 1800 and 2000 along with that tables also present movement in growth of people compared to districts wise.

Overall surge in population can be observed from first table as it keeps increasing, Tables bellow are representing the percentage change in population and sharp fall in district Manhattan is present and on the other hand other district rising high.

Naturally increase in population has taken place in New York City as it went from 79,216 in 1800 to peaked at 8,009,186 in 2000. Which shows quite sharp increase in numbers.

While the overall population increases some districts have seen quite the opposite effect in percentage wise, As Manhattan's population percentage was 76 at 1800 and gradually falled to just 19% in 2000, Even the numbers have grown but percentage wise this fall is humangous.

On the other hand rise in other districts population is shown as not only the numbers of people have increased over the year the percentage as per total population has increased too. in 1800 the total population part in this district counted for just 24% with rose above and beyond to 81% by the end of 2000. This account for a huge growth in these disctricts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall pattern: New York City’s population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share increased. You also include relevant figures for the starting and ending years, which supports the comparison. However, some important details are missing or unclear. The tables show that Manhattan’s population itself rose from 60,515 to 1,850,093 by 1900 before declining to 1,538,096 in 2000; your statement that its numbers “have grown” does not capture this peak and subsequent fall. The total for 2000 is also given as 8,009,185, not 8,009,186. Develop the middle-year comparison and distinguish more precisely between population numbers and percentages to make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, a broad overview, and comparisons of Manhattan with the other districts. Linking phrases such as “On the other hand” help signal contrast, and the reader can follow the main trend. However, the progression is sometimes repetitive: the opening and overview both state that the population increased and that Manhattan’s share fell. Some connections are also awkward or unclear, particularly “While the overall population increases some districts have seen quite the opposite effect in percentage wise,” where the contrast between population totals and shares needs clearer organisation. Use separate, focused paragraphs for the overall figures and district comparisons, and connect each with precise references to the relevant years.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “overall population,” “percentage,” “sharp increase,” and “districts,” so the main ideas are generally understandable. There are also attempts at more descriptive language, such as “surge” and “gradually,” but several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for a data summary. Phrases such as “movement in growth of people compared to districts wise,” “falled,” and “humangous” weaken precision, while “rose above and beyond” is too informal and does not clearly describe the figures. Spelling errors such as “bellow” and “disctricts” are noticeable. Aim for standard collocations such as “population growth,” “the proportion of the total,” and “declined,” and use neutral, precise language rather than emphatic expressions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “While” and “as,” and the overall meaning can usually be understood. However, some sentences are incomplete or joined incorrectly. “Which shows quite sharp increase in numbers” is a fragment, and “Overall surge in population can be observed from first table as it keeps increasing, Tables bellow…” joins separate ideas with a comma. Verb forms and agreement also need attention: “the percentage … was 76 at 1800 and gradually falled” should use a correct past-tense form, and “the total population part … counted for” is not grammatically well formed. Practise complete sentence construction, accurate past-tense reporting, and punctuation between independent clauses; these changes would make your comparisons much easier to read.

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