Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-19

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 represent total population of New York city from 1800 to 2000. The second and third show changes in the population of five districts of the city Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten island over the same period

Manhattan, analysis shows that 76% highest percentage in 1800. And most population 81%

in 2000 of other districts. Moreover, in 1800 bellow percentage.

At the onset, of 1800 highest percentage after 1 year decreased 54% percentage . Moreover, next year 2000 in 19%. In case of other four district in 2000 highest 81% percentage afterwards, in 1900, 46% percentage and than decreased 24% in 1800.

Secondly, in 2000 has lowest percentage 19% of Manhattan according

ton other four district.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

You identify the topic and report several relevant percentages, including Manhattan’s 76% share in 1800 and 19% in 2000, and the other districts’ 81% share in 2000. However, the response does not give a clear, accurate overview of the main changes: the city’s total population rises substantially, while Manhattan’s population peaks in 1900 and then falls as the other districts grow. Some comparisons are confusing, such as “after 1 year,” and the figures are not consistently tied to their years. The response is also well below the required 150 words, limiting the detail and coverage of the task. Develop a concise overview and report the key population figures alongside the percentages.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 3.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the response using “At the onset” and “Secondly,” and the reader can recognise that the answer compares Manhattan with the other districts. However, the ideas do not progress in a clear sequence. The opening repeats the task, then the response moves between years and groups without a consistent structure; for example, “Moreover, next year 2000” does not make the time relationship clear. The short, disconnected statements also leave comparisons incomplete. Organise the answer into an overview followed by a paragraph on Manhattan and one on the other districts, and use clear year-to-year links such as “By 1900” and “By 2000.”

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “population,” “percentage,” “district,” and “decreased,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is narrow and several word choices or collocations make the meaning unclear: “most population 81%” does not accurately express a share, while “highest percentage afterwards” is awkward. “At the onset” is also an unnatural choice for describing a year in a table, and “bellow” is misspelled. Aim for precise reporting language such as “accounted for,” “share,” “rose,” and “fell,” and use “population” for the number of residents and “proportion” for a percentage. Check spelling and avoid repeating “percentage” where a more natural phrase is available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0

The response attempts simple statements and a few linking structures, but sentence control is limited and errors frequently make relationships difficult to follow. For example, “The table represent” has subject–verb disagreement, and “Manhattan, analysis shows that 76% highest percentage in 1800” lacks a complete, well-formed clause. The fragment “And most population 81% in 2000 of other districts” also has no clear grammatical connection to the preceding sentence. Tense and comparison patterns are not controlled consistently, as in “after 1 year decreased 54%.” Practise complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and use accurate patterns such as “Manhattan’s share fell from 54% in 1900 to 19% in 2000.”

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