Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-09

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 4.0)

The population table show that new york city in 1800 was 79216.the seconf tablle show the poulation of five city of new york .In 1900 the population of five distric was 3,437,202 and in 2000 its was icrease to 8,009,185.This table show that the population of five distric of new york city was icrease with time to time .The icrease in population show that government will take some step for the make control on the population.the increase in population create inflation in the country.If inflation are increase in the country thr are also will be icrease in the country.the table show that in 2000 the population expand very quically rethar than in 1900 or in1800.IN the district manhattan the population was increase 76% in1800, 54% in 1900 and 19% in 2000.the table show that the population was increase the manhattan more than other district

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the broad rise in New York City’s population, giving the total for 1900 and 2000, and you include some Manhattan figures. However, the response only minimally summarises the tables: it gives no clear overview of the main contrast between Manhattan and the other districts, and it omits the other districts’ population and share, which rose to 81% by 2000. The statement that Manhattan’s population “was increase” by 76%, 54% and 19% confuses its percentage share with population growth; these are proportions of the city total. The comments about government action and inflation are not supported by the tables and do not belong in a data summary. The response is also six words below the required minimum. Select the key trends accurately and avoid speculation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 3.5

There is a basic attempt to move from the total population to district information, and phrases such as “In 1900” and “in 2000” provide some time markers. However, the response is presented as one continuous block, with no clear paragraphing or overview to guide the reader. Ideas also shift abruptly from population figures to government action and inflation, then back to Manhattan. Repeated openings such as “The table show” do not create a clear progression, and references like “this table” are sometimes unclear because two tables are being discussed. Organise the response into an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph comparing the figures, using time markers and contrast words to connect relevant information.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses a small set of relevant terms, including “population,” “district,” “increase,” and “percentage,” so the general subject can be recognised. However, vocabulary is basic and repetitive, and several spelling errors make the text harder to read, including “seconf,” “poulation,” “distric,” “icrease,” and “quically.” Some word combinations are also unsuitable for describing data: “population expand very quically” and “population was increase” do not express the intended trends naturally. The phrase “five city” is imprecise for the five districts. Build a more accurate range for reporting figures, such as “rose,” “accounted for,” and “share,” and check spelling and word forms before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt to form several complete statements and use time references, but sentence structures are mostly simple and errors occur throughout. Subject–verb agreement is inaccurate in “The population table show,” while “in 2000 its was icrease” has an incorrect verb form and pronoun construction. The sentence about Manhattan also lacks a correct passive or active structure: “the population was increase.” Articles, plurals, and punctuation are inconsistently controlled; for example, “the five city” and the run-on spacing after “79216.” make the writing less clear. Practise accurate past-tense reporting forms such as “the population increased” and “Manhattan’s share fell,” then combine these with simple comparison clauses.

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