Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-07
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)
Table illustrates the population in 5different city ranging their population as we can see that in the year 1800 the population is 79,216 where as in year 1900 it has increased with 3,437,202 after one year in 2000 the population has increased by 5% that is 8,009,185compare to in the year 1900.
On the other hand other districts have the total population as percentage is 24% in 1800 population is 18,701 and the highest population is 81% in the year 2000... Addition to this manhattan the highest population as the percentage of 76% with the range of population is 60,515 in the year 1800 and it has decreased in the year 1900 with the percentage of 54 and we can see that in has decreased again by 35% that is in 2000 the population is only 19%.
Therefore in other districts it can be seen that in the year 2000 it has increased by 81%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to provide a clear overview or effectively select and report the main features of the data. The description of the population figures is often inaccurate or confusing, such as the claim that the population increased by 5% between 1900 and 2000, which does not reflect the provided data. Furthermore, the analysis of the five districts is fragmented and lacks a logical structure. The response struggles to make meaningful comparisons between the districts or across the time periods, leading to a failure to address the requirements of the task adequately. The interpretation of the percentages is also unclear and mathematically inconsistent with the provided tables.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.5
The response lacks a logical progression of ideas. Paragraphing is used, but the content within the paragraphs is disjointed and difficult to follow. Cohesive devices are either missing or used incorrectly, such as the awkward transition 'Addition to this manhattan'. The referencing is often ambiguous, making it hard for the reader to identify which data point is being discussed. The overall structure is weak, and the lack of clear signposting makes the information difficult to navigate. The response does not demonstrate a clear flow of information from one point to the next.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.5
The range of vocabulary is very limited and repetitive. The student relies on basic phrasing and struggles to use appropriate terminology for describing data trends, such as 'increased with' or 'range of population'. There are significant errors in word choice and collocation that occasionally impede the reader's understanding. The student attempts to use percentages but fails to integrate them into coherent sentences, leading to confusion. More precise vocabulary related to trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', or 'proportion', is entirely absent from the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that often distort the intended meaning. Sentence structures are simple and often run-on, lacking proper punctuation. There are consistent issues with subject-verb agreement and tense usage, such as 'Table illustrates' (missing article) and 'population is 79,216 where as in year 1900 it has increased'. The use of complex structures is attempted but is almost always faulty, leading to a lack of clarity. The frequent errors in basic grammar make the text difficult to read and understand, significantly impacting the overall quality of the writing.
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