Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-15
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)
The first table reveals the statistics of changes the New York population between the years of [redacted phone] It can be seen clearly that there is a difference between the given population, whereas the trends an evident fluctuation across the numbers
Overall, the statistics now need to be illustrated individually-cum-comparatively. First, we will take 2000's year into account as the one dominating the table with highest figure (8,009,185). It can be seen while 1800 and 1900
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 3.0
The response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which severely impacts the ability to address the task. You have failed to provide a summary of the main features or make the necessary comparisons between the five districts and the total population over the two-century period. The response stops abruptly after only 75 words, meaning the majority of the data remains unaddressed. To improve, you must ensure you cover all parts of the prompt, including an overview of trends and specific data points for each category provided in the tables.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0
The response lacks a logical structure because it is incomplete. While you attempted an introductory sentence and a brief overview, the lack of body paragraphs makes it impossible to assess your ability to organize information or use cohesive devices effectively. The transition between the introduction and the second paragraph is abrupt, and the text ends mid-sentence, which prevents any coherent progression of ideas. To improve, focus on planning your essay into clear paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group data logically.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.0
The vocabulary used is quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'reveals the statistics of changes' and 'the one dominating the table' are somewhat awkward and lack the precision required for an Academic Task 1 report. There is little evidence of a range of vocabulary related to data description (e.g., 'fluctuated,' 'peaked,' 'remained stable'). To improve, you should learn and apply specific vocabulary for describing trends and numerical data, such as 'experienced a significant increase,' 'accounted for,' or 'the figures peaked at.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
The response contains several grammatical errors that hinder clarity. For example, 'the trends an evident fluctuation' is missing a verb, and '2000's year' is an unnatural way to refer to the year 2000. The sentence structure is limited, and the punctuation is inconsistent, particularly with the missing full stop after '2000'. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring every sentence has a clear subject and verb, and proofreading for missing articles and prepositions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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