Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-23
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 First graph reflects data on population change in New York City within the time frame 200 years starting from 1800 to 2000; while the second graph reveals the figure on five metro cities of(Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) changes in the population over the same period.
Overall, in New york the significant number is grew with the time. Manhattan was fluctuated ratio. And rest of district was rose in the number.
Primarily, in the year 2000 New York had the highest population roughlt 8 lakhs with respectively. However with second highest was in 1900. In 1800 was the the lowest number nearly 80000.
Ultimately, in Manhattan largest amount of population was in the year 1800 with third quater. And in 2000 had the lowest numbers. Moreover, other cities ratio is surged with the years . Less than a quater in 1800 it was the minimum number. In 2000, was 81 percentage.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5
The response attempts to cover the main features of the tables, noting the overall population growth from 1800 to 2000, as well as the shifting percentages for Manhattan versus the other districts. However, the data representation contains numerous inaccuracies and misinterpretations. For instance, the student states that New York had a population of 'roughlt 8 lakhs' in 2000, which reflects an inappropriate use of regional counting terms ('lakhs') rather than standard numerical reporting, and misreads the scale. The overview is overly simplistic ('the significant number is grew with the time'), and key comparisons lack clarity or precision, such as stating Manhattan had the 'largest amount of population... with third quater' in 1800 (when it was actually 76%). These deficiencies place the performance at Band 4.5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5
The response is divided into four short paragraphs functioning as an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. However, the logical progression is frequently disrupted by awkward transitions and confusing phrasing (e.g., 'Primarily, in the year 2000 New York had the highest population roughlt 8 lakhs with respectively'). Cohesive devices are used mechanically or inappropriately, and referencing is often unclear (e.g., 'And rest of district was rose in the number'). While paragraphing is attempted, the overall arrangement lacks clear logical progression, leading to a score of 4.5.
Lexical Resource: Band 4.0
Vocabulary is basic, repetitive, and restricted. The student relies on simple terms like 'number', 'highest', 'lowest', and 'cities'. There are also instances of inappropriate lexical choices, such as 'metro cities of' instead of 'districts', 'roughlt' (misspelling of roughly), and the culturally specific term 'lakhs' which is entirely unsuitable for international academic English. Word forms and collocations are frequently misused, as seen in 'was fluctuated ratio' and 'ratio is surged'. These limitations significantly constrain communication and restrict the score to a Band 4.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0
The grammatical range is extremely limited, consisting mostly of simple and attempted complex sentences that are marred by severe structural errors. Examples include 'the significant number is grew with the time', 'Manhattan was fluctuated ratio', and 'In 2000 had the lowest numbers'. Subject-verb agreement errors, incorrect verb forms (e.g., mixing active and passive structures like 'was rose'), and missing subjects or prepositions are pervasive throughout the text. These frequent errors cause considerable strain for the reader, resulting in a Band 4.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.