Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-03

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)

The first table demonstrates the variation in total residents of New York city from 1800 to 2000. The tables below gives population trends of five districts of city (Manhatten, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) in same time period.

Overall, it can be seen that population of New York city increases in two centuries.Furthermore, people shift from Manhatten to other four provinces in the following centuries.

firstly, if we analyze the first chart we come to know that population of New York had increased in following centuries from 79,216 to 8,009,185.On the other hand, if we notice the residents of Manhatten there was huge decline in overall population as 76% of total population of New York lived in Manhatten in 1800 but with the passage of time it decreases to 19% of total residents of New York.

Secondly,if we observe the population growth of other districts we come to know that majority of the population had been shifted to these district from Manhatten in 21st century and the 81% of total population of New York lives in these districts nowadays.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall rise in New York City’s population and the changing balance between Manhattan and the other districts. The figures you give for the city’s total in 1800 and 2000, and Manhattan’s shares of 76% and 19%, match the tables. However, the account is incomplete: it omits the 1900 figures and does not report Manhattan’s actual population decline from 1,850,093 to 1,538,096. The claim that people “shift” from Manhattan is not established by the tables, which show population changes rather than migration. Also, the other districts’ share had already reached 46% in 1900, so describing the shift as occurring in the 21st century is misleading. Include key stages and distinguish population share from movement of people.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and two body sections, with “Overall,” “Firstly” and “Secondly” signalling the sequence. This gives the reader a basic route through the information. However, progression is not always clear because the body paragraphs rely on formulaic prompts such as “if we analyze” and “if we observe,” rather than directly presenting comparisons. The overview’s claim about people shifting districts is then repeated in the final paragraph, while the 1900 stage is missing, leaving the comparison incomplete. Some linking is also awkward, including “On the other hand,” where a direct contrast between Manhattan’s share and the city total would be clearer. Organise the body by year or by population trend and use references that make each comparison explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of topic vocabulary, including “total residents,” “population trends,” “decline” and “majority,” and the main meaning is generally understandable. However, several choices are imprecise or unnatural for describing table data. “Variation” suggests fluctuation, although the city’s total rises throughout; “provinces” is not the appropriate term for city districts; and “shifted” implies migration that the tables do not show. Spelling errors such as “Manhatten” also reduce accuracy. Repeated phrases such as “population of New York” and “total population” limit flexibility. Choose precise terms for the measured changes, and use “share” or “proportion” when discussing percentages rather than implying that residents moved.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a contrast with “but” and a time clause in “with the passage of time.” The overall message can usually be followed, but errors in sentence boundaries, agreement and articles are noticeable. For example, “The tables below gives” should use a plural verb, and “population of New York city increases” needs an article or possessive construction. Several sentences run together after full stops, as in “two centuries.Furthermore” and “8,009,185.On the other hand,” which makes the writing harder to read. The final sentence also shifts from past reporting to “lives” without a clear reason. Use consistent past-tense reporting for the historical data, check subject–verb agreement, and punctuate each sentence carefully.

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

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