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)

Three tables illustrating the population of new york city from the time period of 1800s to 200s. In these tables comparsion is shown of district of Manhattan with other 5 districts.The citizens if Newyork city were in thousands in 1800s which elevated in 1900s thrice the residents of the city. In 200s the numbers elevated to 8,009,185 that is way more than in 1800s.

Manhattan, a big district, poupulation was 60.515 which was 76% of total population of whole Newyork. In 1900s the figuer raised to million but the percentage lowers to 54 % of total Newyork citizens. 2000s doesn't make much difference in digits whlie percentage decresed more, to 19% of all citiy's inhabitants.

As Manhattan shows less people, other districts presents progress in folks. The fraction of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Statenisland was littel with ratio of 24%. Than in 1900s it grows to 46% and in 2000 it boost to 81 % of toatl Newyorkers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall pattern: New York City’s population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. The percentages you report—Manhattan declining from 76% to 19%, and the other districts increasing from 24% to 81%—are accurate. However, some key details are unclear or imprecise. The city’s population did not simply rise “thrice” by 1900; it increased from 79,216 to 3,437,202, and then to 8,009,185 by 2000. You also say Manhattan’s 2000 population made “much difference” in digits, although it had fallen from 1,850,093 to 1,538,096. A clearer overview and more precise comparisons would make the main features more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a generally understandable order: it introduces the tables, discusses the city total, then compares Manhattan with the other districts. This gives the reader a basic progression, and the paragraph breaks help separate the main topics. However, some connections are mechanical or unclear. For example, “As Manhattan shows less people” does not clearly express the relationship between Manhattan’s declining share and the growth elsewhere, while “Than in 1900s” is an awkward transition. The opening also combines several ideas without a clear overview. Use more precise linking and reference—for example, “By contrast, the combined population of the other four districts…”—and organise the response into a clear introduction, overview, and detail paragraphs.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary, including “population,” “percentage,” “district,” and “inhabitants,” so the topic is generally clear. However, the range and control are limited by repeated or unsuitable expressions. “Elevated” and “boost” are not natural choices for describing population figures in this context, and “folks” is too informal for an academic report. There are also spelling errors such as “comparsion,” “poupulation,” “figuer,” and “toatl,” which make the writing less polished. Aim for accurate, neutral reporting language and use a small range of precise verbs, such as “rose,” “increased,” “declined,” and “accounted for.” Check spelling carefully, especially for key terms and place names.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more developed sentence forms, and the main comparisons can usually be understood. However, grammatical control is uneven. The opening is a sentence fragment: “Three tables illustrating the population…”; it needs a main verb, such as “The tables illustrate…”. Other examples include “Manhattan, a big district, poupulation was…” and “other districts presents progress,” where sentence structure and subject–verb agreement are faulty. Tense and phrasing are also inconsistent in “2000s doesn’t make much difference.” Use complete sentences with clear subjects and verbs, and check agreement and articles. More accurate control of these basic patterns would make your comparisons easier to follow.

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

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