Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-04

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 table compares the information of population in New York districts like Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten island over the same period from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, it is evident that their is an increase of total population throughout the year in New York Districts. In general, It can be seen that the population in 1800 is 79,216, in 1900 is 3,436,202, and we can experienced significant growth in 2000 which is 8,009,185. So if we see specific districts of New York like Manhattan and other districts in the table, the percentage of population sharply increased with passage of year. By comparison, we can see that the total population of Manhattan in 18th century is 76% which is greater among other districts of New York. Similarly, the population in Manhattan significantly increased in 19th century but in 20th century, we can see a little drop which illustrates that this year the population slightly decreased from 1,850,096 to 1,538,096. Furthermore, if we observe the population in other districts, we did not see a decreased in the population, In simple, the percentage of New York all five districts recorded the highest figure in 2000 and recorded the lowest figure in 1800,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall change: New York’s population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share grew. You also include relevant figures for 1800 and 2000 and note Manhattan’s decline after 1900. However, some details are inaccurate: the 1900 city total is 3,437,202, not 3,436,202, and Manhattan’s 1900 population is 1,850,093, not 1,850,096. The statement that the percentage of population in Manhattan and the other districts “sharply increased” is unclear and conflicts with the figures: Manhattan’s share decreased from 76% to 19%, while the other districts’ share increased. The other districts’ population growth is not quantified. A clearer overview and more precise comparisons would make the key features better developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has an opening, an overview-like paragraph, and a sequence that moves from the city total to Manhattan and then the other districts. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “By comparison,” and “Furthermore” help signal these shifts. However, most of the information is packed into one long paragraph, so the progression is difficult to follow. Some links are mechanical or do not express the relationship clearly: “Similarly” introduces a contrast, and “In simple” does not lead naturally into the final point. The repeated references to “the population” and “the table” also make the account less cohesive. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and details, and group comparisons by trend to make the organisation clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “significant growth,” “percentage,” “population,” and “decreased,” and the main subject remains understandable. However, several choices are imprecise or unnatural for describing data. “Compares the information of population” is awkward, “we can experienced” is not an appropriate expression, and “a little drop” is too informal and vague. “The percentage of New York all five districts” is also unclear. Some repetition of “population” and “increased” limits flexibility. Choose precise terms such as “population figures,” “share,” “rose,” and “declined,” and use them consistently to distinguish absolute population from percentage of the city total.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “which” and “if,” and the reader can generally follow the intended comparisons. Some grammatical errors remain, however. In “their is an increase,” the subject–verb form is incorrect; “we can experienced” combines incompatible verb forms; and “we did not see a decreased” uses the wrong form after the article. Capitalisation is inconsistent in “It,” and the long sentence beginning “In general” contains several clauses joined without clear punctuation. These issues do not prevent understanding, but they reduce accuracy and control. Practise subject–verb agreement, verb forms after modal verbs and articles, and divide long sentences into clearer units.

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