Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-13
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 table illustrate change in the population of new New York City from 1800 to 2000 , while table show the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island).
overall ,the period of 1800 in Manhattan, this district standing alone with 76% against of four district , there two time more population living as resident in sector .Manhattan had the highest population from 1800 to 1900.
In 1900 population of New York increase around 3 million, but other district population increase as 2 time more as pervious period , at 54% Manhattan had slight decrease in population, other districts were on peak at 2000 period , they have double in numbers 6,471,089 as compare with Manhattan , at the total percantage of New York it goes to over 8 million.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5
The response attempts to summarise information from the tables regarding the population of New York City and its five districts between 1800 and 2000. However, the task is only partially addressed. Crucially, the student failed to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, finishing at 133 words. Furthermore, the selection and reporting of main features is extremely limited and confused. The student mentions that Manhattan had a high percentage in 1800 and a decrease by 2000, but the data interpretation is muddled, and key comparative trends across the 200-year span are largely omitted or stated inaccurately. Consequently, the development of ideas is weak, leading to a band score of 4.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0
The response shows some basic structural organisation with the use of paragraph breaks, including an 'overall' transition. However, there is no clear overall progression of ideas, and referencing is frequently confusing (for example, 'there two time more population living as resident in sector'). Cohesive devices are either missing, inadequate, or used inaccurately, which disrupts the logical flow of the text. Paragraphing is also rudimentary, as the second and third paragraphs jumble multiple distinct time periods and data points together without a coherent framework. This level of organisation aligns with the Band 4 descriptors.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.5
The student demonstrates a very limited and repetitive vocabulary, which frequently strains the reader's understanding. Examples include basic and imprecise phrases like 'change in the population', 'other district population increase', and 'at 54% Manhattan had slight decrease'. There are numerous word-choice errors, such as using 'sector' instead of 'district' or 'percentage', and awkward phrasing like 'standing alone with 76% against of four district'. Spelling errors and incorrect word forms further limit the lexical range, placing the response squarely at Band 4.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
The grammatical range is extremely limited, consisting mostly of poorly constructed simple and attempted complex sentences that are heavily flawed. There are frequent and severe errors in basic grammar, subject-verb agreement, and punctuation. Examples include 'The table illustrate change', 'the period of 1800 in Manhattan, this district standing alone', and 'at 2000 period , they have double in numbers'. Missing auxiliary verbs, incorrect prepositions, and run-on structures impede communication throughout the response, justifying a band score of 4.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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