Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-09

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 4.0)

%%Let's clarify all the population changes of the New York city for the period or year ([redacted phone]).

So, if we take the year 1800 population its 79216, which we convert into percentage of Manhattan so its almost 76%.

And if we divide it into other all 5 districts which are (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island), so it will be like somewhere 24%, So, now let's see the 1900 one so its is likely little high compare to 1800, it is somewhere around [redacted phone] of the Population its almost (433 X times),and if we count of Manhattan its 54%, and in another 5 districts its just 46% of the all.

Now, let talk about our twenties so the population is rise of [redacted phone] almost (2.33 x times) and if we talk about only Manhattan its roughly 19% only now a days people are moving in another 5 districts which is around 81% of 100%.

So basically if we summarize all the three year population is increasing and dividing in the whole New Work.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to adequately summarise the data. While it mentions the three time periods, the analysis is superficial and contains significant inaccuracies in data interpretation (e.g., claiming a 433x increase). The report lacks a clear overview of the main trends, such as the overall population growth and the shift in distribution from Manhattan to the other districts. The writing style is overly informal and conversational, which is inappropriate for an Academic Task 1 report. The response does not effectively select and report the main features as required by the instructions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The response lacks a logical structure. It is written as a single, informal paragraph that reads more like a stream of consciousness than a formal report. There is a lack of cohesive devices to link ideas, and the progression of information is disjointed. The use of phrases like 'So, if we take' and 'Now, let talk about' is conversational and does not facilitate a professional flow of information. Paragraphing is absent, which makes the text difficult to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.0

The vocabulary is very limited and repetitive. The student relies on basic phrasing and struggles to use appropriate terminology for describing data trends (e.g., 'little high', 'rise of', 'divide it into'). There are frequent errors in word choice and expression, such as 'our twenties' to refer to the year 2000, which causes confusion. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to convey the information with any degree of precision or academic tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that impede clarity. Sentence structures are often fragmented or run-on, such as 'So, if we take the year 1800 population its 79216, which we convert into percentage of Manhattan so its almost 76%.' There is inconsistent use of punctuation and capitalization, and basic errors in subject-verb agreement and tense usage are pervasive. The range of structures is very limited, consisting mostly of simple, poorly constructed sentences.

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