Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-18
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 table show the total percentage of the new York city from to 1800 to 2000 And the second and third table show changes in the population of the five districts of the city . In the new York all five districts in 1800 the population is 79216 and the 1900 the total population is [redacted phone] and the 2000 the population is more increase and bring to [redacted phone] . First i talk about the city Manhattan . The total population of the Manhattan in 1800 is 60515 and the 1900 the total population is [redacted phone] and the 2000 the population is less than [redacted phone] .
The other districts Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten, Island, in this four districts the total population of the districts in 1800 population is 18701 24 percentage . And 1900 the population is [redacted phone] and 46 percentage . In the 2000 the total population is [redacted phone] and the percentage is 81.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response attempts to address the task but fails to provide a clear overview or effectively select and report the main features. The data presentation is fragmented and contains inaccuracies, such as stating the population 'is 79216' in 1800 for all districts combined, which misinterprets the provided tables. The comparison between Manhattan and the other districts is poorly structured, and the inclusion of percentages is confusing and not clearly linked to the source data. The response lacks a summary of the overall trends, which is essential for a Band 6 or higher.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.5
The essay is divided into two paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is very limited and often mechanical (e.g., 'First i talk about', 'The other districts'). There is a lack of clear referencing, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between the years and the districts. The transition between the general population data and the specific district data is abrupt and lacks a cohesive link.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.0
The vocabulary is very basic and repetitive, relying heavily on the words 'population', 'total', and 'districts'. There is no attempt to use a wider range of vocabulary to describe trends or changes (e.g., 'increase', 'less than'). Errors in word choice and collocation are frequent, such as 'bring to 8009185' and 'the population is more increase'. These errors, combined with the limited range, restrict the ability to convey information precisely.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that often impede communication. There is a lack of control over basic sentence structures, with many sentences being fragments or run-on sentences. Issues include incorrect verb tenses ('The table show'), missing articles ('in the new York'), and incorrect preposition usage. Complex sentence structures are absent, and the frequent errors in subject-verb agreement and word order make the text difficult to read.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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