Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-07

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 table illustrates alternations in the total indiviuals of the city New York in two centuries (1800 to 2000). The remaining one's demonstrates about the reforms that accoured in the population of some districts in the city in the likevise period.

Overall, the first table tells us about the boost in public of all the five areas collectively, while second and third table explained it in details by specifying the districts.

Firstly, in 1800 the population of city is 79216 and it rapidly increased to [redacted phone] and then [redacted phone] in 1900 and 2000 respectively.

the district which shoed immense increase in persons is Manhattan as it has 76 percent at first but shrink to

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response identifies the broad rise in New York City’s population and gives the three total figures accurately, which is relevant to the task. However, it does not adequately summarise the district data: the final sentence is unfinished after “shrink to,” and the claim that Manhattan showed the “immense increase” is misleading because its population fell between 1900 and 2000, while the other districts grew substantially. The overview also does not state this key contrast or the shift in population share. The response is 115 words, below the required 150, and this leaves important comparisons undeveloped. To improve, complete the account with accurate district figures and a clear overview of the changing distribution.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an introduction is followed by an overview and then a paragraph beginning with the total population figures. Sequencing words such as “Overall” and “Firstly” help signal these stages. However, the progression is incomplete because the final sentence breaks off, and the district comparison is not developed into a coherent account. The reference to “the first table” and “second and third table” is also confusing, since the task presents two visuals, with district information grouped in the second. Use separate, complete paragraphs for the introduction, overview, and key comparisons, and connect the figures with clear contrasts such as “whereas” and “by 2000.”

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response shows some relevant vocabulary, including “population,” “districts,” “increased,” and “percentage,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate or unnatural choices make the meaning less clear: “alternations” does not mean changes in this context, “total individuals” is unsuitable for population, and “boost in public” is not a natural collocation. Spelling errors such as “indiviuals,” “accoured,” and “likevise” also weaken clarity. Choose precise, standard terms for describing data, for example “population,” “rose,” “declined,” and “share.” Check spelling carefully and avoid replacing simple accurate language with unfamiliar words used incorrectly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response includes some simple sentences and an attempt at a more complex clause, as in “the district which shoed immense increase in persons is Manhattan.” However, grammatical control is uneven. Examples include “the population of city is” (missing an article and inconsistent tense), “the first table tells us … while second and third table explained” (article and tense problems), and the incomplete final clause, “but shrink to.” Capitalisation is also inconsistent, with “the district” beginning a sentence in lowercase. These errors sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and article use, and ensure every sentence has a complete main clause before adding comparisons.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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