Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-10

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 4.5)

The first table illustrates changes in the overall population of five districts of New York city between 1800 to 2000. The second and third table demonstrates changes in the percentages of total population of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten, Island through out the same period.

overall, the year 2000 had highest population rate of all the districts except Manhattan which saw huge decline in the proportion of total population. In year 1900 percentage of total polpulation for all districts remain steady without huge rise and fall.

To begin with 1800 year

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

You identify the broad subject and make a relevant observation that Manhattan’s share declined, but the response reports very little of the tables and does not provide a complete summary. The overview is also inaccurate: the city’s total population rose substantially in both 1800–1900 and 1900–2000, while Manhattan’s population increased to 1,850,093 in 1900 before falling to 1,538,096 in 2000. The claim that all districts’ percentages remained steady in 1900 is unsupported; Manhattan’s share was 54%, compared with 76% in 1800 and 19% in 2000. The response stops before describing the figures promised by “To begin with 1800 year.” It is 60 words below the required minimum. Include the main totals, the contrasting Manhattan and other-district trends, and accurate comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 3.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an introduction is followed by an overview, and “To begin with” signals that a detail section is intended. However, the response ends immediately after that transition, so there is no developed sequence of comparisons or supporting details. The overview’s statements are not clearly connected to specific years or figures, and “In year 1900” does not establish a meaningful comparison. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and key data, then organise the details chronologically or by contrasting Manhattan with the other districts. Complete each paragraph and use linking phrases to show how the figures relate, rather than relying on an unfinished transition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant task vocabulary, including “overall population,” “percentages,” “proportion,” and “decline,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and some word choices or collocations are inaccurate or imprecise: “population rate” does not describe the figures, and “huge rise and fall” is informal and vague. There are also spelling and form errors, such as “polpulation” and “through out,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for precise terms such as “population,” “share,” and “accounted for,” and use verbs that describe the data clearly, for example “increased,” “fell,” or “represented.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and a more complex clause, as in “Manhattan which saw huge decline,” but the range remains limited and errors recur. The opening has incorrect number and tense agreement in “The second and third table demonstrates,” while “between 1800 to 2000” uses an incorrect preposition pattern. Articles and sentence construction are also problematic in “In year 1900 percentage…” and the final fragment, “To begin with 1800 year.” These errors make parts of the response awkward and sometimes unclear, although the general topic can still be followed. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and complete sentence patterns, and check agreement, articles, and prepositions when editing.

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