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 following three table illustrate the total population of New York city and its districts (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) from 1800 to 2000.

Firstly, the total population of New York city of all five districts was 79,216 in year 1800 meanwhile this can be clearly observed that there is a rapid increase in the population of New York all district which was 3,437,202 in 1900. However, population rose to 8,009,185 in year 2000.

This can be seen, Manhattan population in year 1800 was 60,515 having 76% of population in contrast other districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) altogether were having 18,701 population having 24% of population in year 1800. There is a strong similarity which can been in year 1900 that, population of Manhattan and other districts increases having 1,850,093 and 1,587,109 population.

However, population of Manhattan in year 2000 decreases from 1,850,093 to 1,538,096 having population of 19% in contrast the population of other districts inceases from 1,587,109 to 6,471,089 having 81% of population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You report the main overall rise in New York City’s population and give relevant figures for all three years. You also identify the key shift in the districts’ shares: Manhattan falls from 76% to 19%, while the other districts rise from 24% to 81%. However, the overview is not clearly separated or stated, and some comparisons are incomplete. For example, you say both groups increased by 1900 but do not explain that Manhattan remained larger then, or highlight that its population subsequently declined while the other districts continued to grow. A clearer summary of these contrasting trends, supported by precise comparisons, would make the response more complete and developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response follows a generally sensible order: it begins with the citywide totals, then discusses Manhattan and the other districts. Paragraphing also helps distinguish these topics. However, progression within sentences is sometimes difficult to follow, and linking expressions are used mechanically or inaccurately. For instance, “meanwhile” does not clearly connect the 1800 and 1900 figures, while “However” introduces a straightforward increase in the total population rather than a contrast. The district paragraph also combines several figures in long sentences, making comparisons less clear. Use a concise overview followed by logically grouped details, and choose connectors only when their relationship—such as contrast or sequence—is accurate.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “total population,” “increases,” “decreases,” and “in contrast,” so the main trends can generally be understood. However, the range is limited and several expressions are repetitive or imprecise, such as “having population” and “strong similarity,” which does not accurately describe the comparison between the districts. There are also spelling errors, including “inceases,” and inconsistent forms such as “New York city.” Aim for more precise collocations used in data reporting, such as “accounted for,” “rose to,” and “whereas.” Check spelling and use a wider range of accurate verbs to distinguish changes in totals from changes in proportions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, but control is uneven, and errors occur frequently enough to make some relationships awkward to interpret. For example, “The following three table illustrate” has a plural agreement error, while “there is a rapid increase … which was 3,437,202” mixes a present-tense construction with past data and an unclear relative clause. Articles and sentence structure are also problematic in phrases such as “in year 1800” and “This can be seen, Manhattan population.” Practise forming clear past-tense comparisons, with a subject and verb in each clause—for example, “The population rose from … to …”—and check agreement, articles, and punctuation when editing.

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