Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 table represents about the total population of manhattan, brooklyn, bronx, queens and staten island which lies on New York City1800 to 2000 and the second and third graid indicities the polpulation change in five districts of the city.

It is crstal clear that the Highest population were recorded in three table in 2000 . The lowest population recorded in first table in 1800 and in second and third in 2000.

In 2000 the higest population recorded in New York City . Comparing to 1800 and 1900 population 1900 population is double of its number.

IN manhanttan district the mixmumm percentage is recorded in 1800 which is 76% but in the case of other disrict it was recorded 81% which is a quite different then manhanttan in 2000. In 2000 in second table the mimumm percentage is recorded up to 19% but it is completely oppisite becasue it in 1800 the lowest percentage is recorded up to 24%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the broad subject and make a few relevant comparisons, including Manhattan’s 76% share in 1800 and its 19% share in 2000. However, the response only minimally summarises the tables: it gives no accurate overall account of the city’s growth, and the claim that the 1900 population was “double” the 1800 figure is unclear and incorrect. The statement that the lowest population in the second and third tables occurred in 2000 also misreads the data; the other districts’ population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s population peaked in 1900. The overview is not reliable, and key trends are omitted. To improve, select the main changes across all three tables and report them accurately, distinguishing population totals from percentage shares.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 3.5

There is a basic attempt to move from an introduction to general observations and then to district comparisons. However, the ideas are not arranged into a clear progression, and the response is difficult to follow in places. For example, “The lowest population recorded in first table in 1800 and in second and third in 2000” is followed by a confusing comparison of 1800 and 1900, without explaining how these points relate. Linking phrases such as “In 2000” and “but” are used, but they do not establish clear relationships between the data. Organise the response into a concise overview and separate paragraphs for citywide growth and district changes, using clear references to each table.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses some task-related vocabulary, including “total population,” “percentage,” “district,” and “recorded,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is basic and several spelling and word-choice errors make the meaning harder to understand, such as “graid indicities,” “mixmumm,” and “opposite.” Some phrases are also unnatural or imprecise, including “population is double of its number” and “the lowest percentage is recorded up to 24%.” Use accurate terms for trends and comparisons, such as “increased,” “accounted for,” and “share,” and check spelling carefully. More precise vocabulary would help distinguish population totals from percentages.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences with contrast, for example, “In Manhattan district … but in the case of other district…”. However, grammatical control is inconsistent, and errors frequently make relationships between ideas unclear. The opening sentence lacks a clear grammatical structure, while “The lowest population recorded” is missing a verb and “population 1900 population is double” has faulty word order and sentence construction. Articles, plurals, and sentence boundaries are also unreliable, as in “other disrict” and the run-on final comparison. Practise building complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, then use simple comparative patterns such as “Manhattan’s population fell, whereas the other districts’ population rose.”

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