Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-20

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 table illustrates the changes in the total population of New York City and also classification of the cities in two different parts, such as Manhattan and group of other districts, over the period from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the population of New Youk City had increased dramatically. Although, overall population rose, Manhattan's share reduced and other districts share increased.

In 1800, Manhattan filled the largest share of the population in the city at 76 percentage, and by 2000, other districts such as Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island fills the largest population at 81 percentage. There was a dramatic decline in the population of Manhattan at 19 percentage, which is four times as less than.

Other districts showed gradual increase in the population during the period. In 1800, where the population was sitting at 1

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the broad trends: New York City’s population grew, Manhattan’s share fell, and the other districts’ share rose. However, the report is incomplete and does not cover the figures across all three years in a clear, accurate way. For example, it gives the 1800 and 2000 percentages but omits the important 1900 comparison, when Manhattan still held 54% and the other districts 46%. The final sentence breaks off at “1,” leaving the other-district population trend unsupported. The response is also below the required 150 words; the task instructions’ copied wording is excluded from the count. Develop the key comparisons with accurate figures and complete the summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic overall structure, with an introduction, an overview and body paragraphs, and the overview signals the main contrast between Manhattan and the other districts. However, progression is difficult to follow because the body does not systematically compare the three years, and the final paragraph ends mid-sentence. Some linking is awkward or unclear: “Although, overall population rose” interrupts the sentence, while “In 1800, where the population…” does not lead to a complete idea. Organise the details chronologically or compare Manhattan with the other districts in each year, and use complete sentences with clear references. This would make the information easier to follow rather than leaving the reader to infer the intended comparisons.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “population,” “share,” “increased dramatically” and “decline,” so the main subject is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, which sometimes makes the meaning unclear. “Classification of the cities in two different parts” is not a natural description of the table’s grouping, and “Manhattan filled the largest share” is an awkward collocation. “Four times as less than” is also unclear, while “population was sitting at” is too informal for an academic report. Choose precise terms such as “accounted for,” “proportion” and “stood at,” and check spelling, including “New York.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, such as “Although, overall population rose, Manhattan’s share reduced and other districts share increased.” However, errors are frequent, and some sentence structures are incomplete or difficult to interpret. The final sentence, “In 1800, where the population was sitting at 1,” is unfinished, and “which is four times as less than” lacks a clear grammatical completion. There are also issues with articles and agreement in “the other districts share increased” and “other districts … fills.” Practise forming complete comparisons and checking subject–verb agreement, articles and punctuation. Short, accurate sentences would help communicate the data more reliably.

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