Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

The first table below presents the shift in New York City residents between 1800 to 2000. The second table specifically display data of Manhattan area comparing with the third sheet with the population of other four districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) in the same period.

Overall, the city population increased significantly over the centuries. The most populated Manhattan area became less famous compared to the other four districts in New York City history.

In 1800s, the New York City population was close to 80 thousand, the numbers spiked considerably in the next century to 3.5 million, followed by a

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

The response identifies the broad rise in New York City’s population and the changing relative importance of Manhattan, which are relevant main features. However, it reports only part of the data: the final sentence stops after “followed by a”, so the 2000 total and the key district figures are not explained. The overview’s claim that Manhattan “became less famous” is also not an accurate description of the table; its share of the population fell from 76% to 19%, while the other districts’ share rose. The response is substantially below the required 150 words, leaving the task only minimally covered. To improve, complete the comparison with accurate figures and describe population share rather than fame.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the response into an introduction, an overview and a data paragraph, and the sequence from the general trend to a specific figure is understandable. Linking phrases such as “Overall” and “followed by” show some awareness of progression. However, the final paragraph ends mid-sentence, so the information is not brought to a conclusion and the progression is incomplete. The introduction also refers to the second and third tables in a way that is difficult to follow, and the overview does not clearly connect the citywide growth with the shift from Manhattan to the other districts. Use complete paragraphs with a clear overview, then group and compare the figures in a logical order.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses some suitable task vocabulary, including “population,” “increased significantly,” “spiked considerably” and “comparing,” so the general subject is clear. There is also an attempt to vary wording rather than repeat “population” throughout. However, several choices are imprecise or unnatural for describing statistical data: “became less famous” does not express a decline in population share, and “third sheet” is not an appropriate label for a table. “Shift in … residents” is also less natural than describing changes in population. Aim for precise terms such as “accounted for,” “proportion,” “share” and “rose/fell,” and use them to describe the figures accurately. The limited amount of writing also restricts the range demonstrated.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response includes both simple sentences and a longer introductory sentence, and the overview is grammatically understandable. However, control is uneven. In “between 1800 to 2000,” the time expression uses an incorrect preposition pattern; write “between 1800 and 2000” or “from 1800 to 2000.” “The second table specifically display” has subject–verb disagreement, and “In 1800s” is missing the article needed before the decade. The final sentence is incomplete, ending with “followed by a,” which prevents the reader from understanding the intended comparison. These errors, together with the limited range of completed structures, make the response less clear. Check agreement and time expressions, and ensure every sentence is complete.

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