Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-12
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 following tables show the data of change in popuplation from year 1800 to 200. First table present the data of overall population of new york city while the second and 3rd idicate the distribution of five district Manhattan, Brooklyn, Broonx, Queens, Staten Island of new York city.
Overall, the population of new york city increase every hundred year. Population of Manhattan district is larger than than other all destrict of city.
Manhattan destrict posses three population of whole city while the other all destrict have less than one fourth of population. After a hunder year over all population rise sharply but this increase is slower in manhattan disdrict than other all districts. However Manhattan destrict still hold higher population by 54% of overall city. Meanwhile in year 2000 rise in population slightly smooth but it dramatic because manhattan district population dropped which is just 19% of overall city. While other district holds 81% population of city.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to cover the main features of the tables, noting the overall population growth and mentioning specific districts like Manhattan and Brooklyn. However, the data interpretation contains noticeable inaccuracies and confusion regarding the figures (for instance, the claim that Manhattan possessed three-quarters of the city's population or referencing the year '200' instead of 2000). The summary lacks precise data reporting, failing to effectively compare districts with clear figures or percentages across the time span. Key trends are underdeveloped, and the overview is vague. This performance aligns with Band 5, where the task is addressed only partially and ideas are limited or unclearly supported.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The text is divided into short paragraphs, attempting an introduction and body sections, which provides a basic structural framework. However, the logical progression is hindered by abrupt transitions and poor referencing. For example, sentences such as 'Meanwhile in year 2000 rise in population slightly smooth but it dramatic' lack clear cohesive ties and make the flow disjointed. Cohesive devices are minimal and sometimes inaccurate, and referencing within the text is frequently unclear. The overall arrangement shows some organizational effort, but the flawed cohesion and lack of clear progression place this response firmly at Band 5.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.0
The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, with frequent spelling errors throughout the text (e.g., 'popuplation', 'destrict', 'Broonx', 'hunder', 'disdrict'). The writer attempts some less common terms like 'distribution' and 'overall', but the limited range and severe control issues regarding word choice and spelling impede communication in several places. There are also notable collocation issues, such as 'rise in population slightly smooth'. These characteristics correspond closely to the Band 4 descriptor, where basic vocabulary and frequent errors strain the reader, though the presence of some task-related terms prevents a lower score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
Grammatical control is weak, with a very limited range of structures and persistent errors that frequently cause difficulty for the reader. Simple sentences predominate, and attempts at more complex structures are faulty or missing vital elements, such as missing verbs and articles (e.g., 'First table present the data', 'Population of Manhattan district is larger than than other all destrict'). Punctuation and capitalization are also erratic, with 'new york city' uncapitalized. There are frequent grammatical errors in almost every sentence, matching the Band 4 level where errors are frequent and often distort meaning.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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