Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-26
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 provided the information about changes in the total population while in secend and third table shows the changes in the population of the five districts of the city.
Overall, it is clear that in first table illusterats about New York city of five districts in these yaers change populatiin like in starting population is very low while after one year population was very high. Whereas, in 2000 population of New York city was very more.
Regarding, the second and third table shows that how changes in the population of five districts of the city over the same period. In Manhattan percentage of the total population are diferent then others in Manhattan percentage of population is very high in starting year but in during and last percentage of population very low. In other districts population is more decrease in starting but in the end percentage of population are more increase.
In conclusion, the first table shows the percentage of population in New York. While in other tables talks about the percentage of population in districts.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5
You identify the broad subject of both sets of tables and notice the key contrast that Manhattan’s share was high initially but lower by 2000, while the other districts’ share increased. However, the account is mostly general and does not accurately report the main numerical changes. For example, the total population rose from 79,216 in 1800 to 8,009,185 in 2000, but “after one year” is inaccurate and no figures are given. Manhattan’s population increased to 1,850,093 in 1900 before falling to 1,538,096, a change your response does not explain. The overview also incorrectly calls the tables’ information percentages. Select the major trends and support them with accurate figures and comparisons.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5
The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction to an overview, details and a conclusion. This gives the reader some sense of organisation, and phrases such as “Overall” and “In conclusion” signal stages of the response. However, the progression is difficult to follow because ideas are repeated or expressed vaguely: the final paragraph repeats that the tables show population information without adding a useful summary. Connections between comparisons are also unclear, particularly in “In other districts population is more decrease in starting but in the end percentage of population are more increase.” Organise the body around the total population and then the district comparison, and use clear links to show how the figures change over time.
Lexical Resource: Band 4.5
You use a small set of relevant terms, including “total population,” “districts,” “percentage,” and “changes,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, vocabulary is basic and repetitive, and frequent spelling and word-choice problems make several points hard to understand. Examples include “secend,” “illusterats,” “yaers,” and “populatiin.” Phrases such as “very more” and “more decrease” are not natural ways to describe population trends. Use precise trend language and vary it appropriately—for example, “rose sharply,” “declined,” “accounted for,” and “share.” Check spelling carefully, and avoid repeating “population” when a clear reference such as “this figure” or “its share” would work.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5
The response attempts a few longer sentences, including one beginning “Whereas,” but most structures are simple or incomplete, and errors frequently obscure the intended relationships. For example, “the second and third table shows” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “In Manhattan percentage of the total population are diferent” lacks a clear grammatical structure. The sentence beginning “Overall” also combines clauses awkwardly, and “in starting year” and “in during and last” show problems with articles and prepositions. Build accurate simple sentences first, then add controlled comparisons using forms such as “while” and “whereas.” Check agreement, sentence boundaries, and article use when revising.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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