Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-02

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)

Among the three tables the first table shows the total polulation of all five districts in New York City.

After analysing the first report, we can notice that that polulation has increased every year and in 2000 it was more than 100 times than 1800.

The second table represents the Manhattan district population and how much percentage it holds of total population. Here, it is visible that- in 1800, the held more than 75% of total population and as the years goes by, the percantage kept decreasing. One of the major reason of this negative trend can be people did not prefer to reside in Manhattan like before. In 2000, the polulation in Manhattan drastically droped.

Lastly, in the third table, others four districts polulation as percentage of total population is presented. Here, we can see in 2000, the 81% of total population is in other districts. every year it kept increasing.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad trends: the city’s population grew substantially, Manhattan’s share declined, and the other four districts’ share rose to 81% by 2000. However, the account is only partly developed because it gives few precise comparisons and omits the key reversal in Manhattan’s population: it rose from 60,515 to 1,850,093 by 1900, then fell to 1,538,096 in 2000. Saying the total “increased every year” is also imprecise, as the tables show only three dates. The explanation that people no longer preferred Manhattan is speculation not supported by the data. Include a clear overview and report the main figures and contrasting trends without adding causes.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic sequence, moving from the citywide table to Manhattan and then the other districts, and signposts such as “After analysing” and “Lastly” help readers follow the order. However, the progression is mostly a table-by-table description rather than a well-shaped summary, and there is no distinct overview bringing the main comparisons together. Some links are repetitive, particularly the repeated “Here” and “every year,” while the reference in “the held more than 75%” is unclear. Organise the response into an introduction, a concise overview, and grouped details comparing the districts’ trends. Use linking phrases to show contrast, such as Manhattan’s decline in share versus the other districts’ rise.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “total population,” “percentage,” “increased,” and “decreasing,” so the main subject is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or awkward: “the percentage it holds” and “negative trend” are not natural ways to describe the changing population share, while “drastically dropped” overstates the change without giving its scale. Spelling errors such as “polulation,” “percantage,” and “droped” are noticeable and reduce precision. Aim for accurate, varied language for describing data, including “accounted for,” “share,” “rose,” and “declined,” and check spelling carefully before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts some longer sentence forms, for example, “as the years goes by, the percantage kept decreasing,” but control is inconsistent and many sentences contain errors. Examples include “that polulation has increased” (unclear tense and reference), “more than 100 times than 1800” (faulty comparison structure), and “in 1800, the held more than 75%” (missing subject). There are also agreement and article problems in “as the years goes” and “One of the major reason.” Sentence patterns are mostly simple, with attempts at complex clauses that are often faulty. Practise accurate comparisons and subject–verb agreement, and proofread each sentence for a complete subject and verb.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.