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)

Task 1

The table chart shows the changes in population of New York from 1800 to 2000. Whereas other two table shows the population over five states.

Overall, it is clearly visible that population in 1900, and 2000, have highest as compared to 1800. In 1800, population is less. Population in Manhattan is 60,515, which is also low as compared to other states. The percentage of population is higher.

In year 1900, population is gone on its peak and percentage is lower compared with other states. Individual who living in the cities of Manhattan also low percentage in 2000. Population in this year is also highest.

In the other states population got different percentage according to different states. In year 1900, population recieved highest percentage compared to previous year. In 2000, population has also recieved highest percent compared to both year that was passed.

In conclusion, population has played major role in states of New york, which also increase the demand for their survival. This also lead wastage of resources.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the broad rise in New York City’s population and mention Manhattan and the other districts, so the response is connected to the tables. However, the main features are reported only minimally, and some comparisons are inaccurate or unclear. For example, Manhattan’s population did not reach its peak in 2000: it fell from 1,850,093 in 1900 to 1,538,096 in 2000. The other districts’ share rose from 24% to 46% and then 81%, but the response does not clearly state these figures or explain that they overtook Manhattan’s share. The claim that population growth increased demand for survival and caused resource wastage is not shown by the tables. Focus on accurate trends and a concise overview.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The response has separate paragraphs and uses basic sequencing phrases such as “Overall,” “In year 1900,” and “In conclusion.” These provide some structure, but the ideas do not progress clearly from an overview to well-organised comparisons. The repeated statements that population or percentages were “highest” are difficult to follow because the relevant group and measure are not always identified. For instance, “population in this year is also highest” does not make clear whether this refers to the city total, Manhattan, or the other districts. The conclusion introduces resource wastage rather than summarising the data. Organise the response around the citywide increase, then compare Manhattan with the combined other districts across the three years, using clear references.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “population,” “percentage,” “compared,” and “increase,” which helps communicate the general subject. However, the range is basic and repetitive, and several word choices or collocations make the meaning unclear. “Population is gone on its peak” is not a natural way to describe a rise, while “other states” is inaccurate because the table refers to districts, not states. “Population has played major role in states” also does not express a clear data-based point. Use precise terms such as “districts,” “share of the total,” “rose,” and “declined,” and avoid repeating “highest” when a specific comparison can be made.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response relies mainly on short, simple statements, with limited control of more varied sentence structures. Errors occur frequently in sentence formation and verb patterns, as in “Whereas other two table shows” and “Individual who living in the cities of Manhattan also low percentage.” Articles and agreement are also problematic: “population in 1900, and 2000, have highest” and “population has played major role.” These errors sometimes make it difficult to identify the intended comparison. There are attempts to connect ideas with “whereas” and “which,” but the structures are not consistently complete or accurate. Practise forming clear subject–verb sentences and use past-tense verbs consistently when describing the historical figures.

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