Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-21
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 first table demonstrates the changes in the population of the New York city.And the second and third table shows the changes in the overall population of the other five districts of the city over the same years.
The first table illustrates the total population of the New York city in the year2800 to 2000.Furthermore,the second and the third table shows the changes in the population of the five other districts.
As we can see in the first table given below,it illustrates the total population of the New York city in 1800 is 79,216.Furthermore, in 1900,there is significant increase in the population.The population has grew dramatically in 2000 and reaches at its peak.
The second and third and third table
demonstrates overall establishments in the population.In Manhatten,there are lesser people residing in 1800.Furthermore the residents grew dramatically in1900 in the district.Lastly,in the other five districts, population grew significantly in 2000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 3.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0
The response identifies the broad subject—New York’s population growth and changes in Manhattan and the other districts—and includes the correct 1800 city total of 79,216. However, it does not adequately summarise the tables: the 1900 and 2000 totals are not reported, and the key contrast that Manhattan’s population rose to 1,850,093 in 1900 before falling to 1,538,096 in 2000 is missed. The statement that Manhattan had “lesser people” in 1800 is vague, while “the other five districts” is inaccurate because these are the other four districts. There is no clear overview of the main pattern, including the growing share of the other districts. To improve, select the major trends and support them with accurate figures and comparisons.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 3.5
The response makes some attempt to move from the city-wide figures to the district data, and uses basic linking expressions such as “Furthermore” and “Lastly.” However, the organisation is difficult to follow because the opening repeats the task description, and the next paragraph repeats it again rather than advancing the summary. The phrase “The second and third and third table” is unfinished, and the final paragraph combines unclear references to the tables and districts. Connections between ideas are often mechanical, and the reader cannot easily see which figures or trends are being compared. Use a clear structure: an introduction, an overview of the main changes, then focused details for the city total and district populations.
Lexical Resource: Band 4.5
The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, with frequent reliance on “population,” “changes,” and “grew dramatically.” Some wording is imprecise for describing statistical data: “overall establishments in the population” does not convey a clear meaning, and “lesser people residing” is an awkward way to describe a population figure. There are also spelling and form errors, including “Manhatten,” which reduce accuracy. The reader can understand the general topic, but the limited range makes the account vague and repetitive. Build a small set of precise Task 1 expressions for increases, decreases, proportions, and comparisons, and check spelling before submitting.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5
The response relies mainly on simple sentence patterns and shows limited control of sentence boundaries and agreement. For example, “the second and third table shows” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “The population has grew” uses an incorrect verb form. The opening also contains run-on punctuation, as in “city.And,” and several sentences lack spaces after commas or full stops. Some meaning remains understandable, but these recurring errors make the writing less clear and prevent more complex comparisons from being expressed reliably. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and agreement, and use a full stop or conjunction to separate complete clauses.
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