Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-22
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 given tables gives information the changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third table show changes in the population of the five district of the city like: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island over the period. As far as, the overview of the tables is concerned, the highest and the lowest population were 76% in the other districts and 19% in the Manhattan. The last is the analysis of the tables, in the year 1800, merely 79216 people in the New York City and [redacted phone] persons in the year 1900 in the same city of Europe, however,76% people in the city Manhattan which was approximately 60515 people have it. On the other hand, 54% in the year 1900 in the Manhattan city. In contrast, the other districts of New York like Queen had 24% population in the year 1800, while 46% in the year 1900. Overall, the general trend of population had increasing.
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 attempts to address the task but fails to accurately report the data. There are significant factual errors, such as misinterpreting the population figures and incorrectly identifying New York City as being in Europe. The overview is confusing and does not clearly highlight the main trends or significant comparisons. The data selection is disjointed, and the report lacks a logical structure to present the information effectively. To improve, you must ensure that the data extracted from the tables is accurate and that the overview provides a clear, high-level summary of the most important trends rather than listing isolated, incorrect figures.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.5
The response lacks a clear structure. While there is an attempt at an introduction and a brief overview, the body paragraphs are not clearly defined, and the progression of ideas is difficult to follow. Cohesive devices are used in a mechanical and often incorrect way, such as 'As far as, the overview of the tables is concerned' and 'The last is the analysis of the tables'. These phrases do not effectively link the information. Paragraphing is absent, which makes the text appear as a single, dense block of information, hindering the reader's ability to navigate the data.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.5
The vocabulary is limited and often used incorrectly. There is a reliance on basic terms, and the misuse of words (e.g., 'the last is the analysis', 'have it') impedes clarity. The student struggles to use appropriate terminology for describing data trends, such as 'the general trend of population had increasing', which is grammatically and lexically awkward. To reach a higher band, you need to expand your range of vocabulary to include precise terms for describing statistical changes, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', or 'remained stable', and ensure that words are used in their correct collocations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that often cause confusion. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('The given tables gives'), article usage ('in the city Manhattan'), and sentence structure. Many sentences are fragmented or poorly constructed, making the meaning unclear. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the simple sentences used are often riddled with errors. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring subject-verb agreement, and using articles correctly. Consistent practice with proofreading for these fundamental errors will significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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