Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-01

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 illustrated changes in the whole population of New York City between 1800 and 2000. The table number two and three illustrated changes in the population of the different districts of the city (Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island) throughout the same period.

Overall, total population of New York City increased dramatically from 1800 to 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

You identify the subject of the tables and give a relevant overall trend: “the whole population of New York City” increased “dramatically” between 1800 and 2000. However, the response does not report any figures or describe the key district changes, such as Manhattan’s share falling from 76% to 19% while the other districts’ share rose to 81%. It therefore addresses the task only minimally, rather than selecting and summarising the main features. The response is also substantially below the required 150 words, leaving too little space to develop a meaningful overview and comparisons. To improve, include the city’s population at the three dates and compare Manhattan with the combined other districts.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic, understandable order: it first introduces the tables and then gives an overall statement beginning with “Overall”. This provides a simple progression, and the ideas are not difficult to follow. However, there are only two sentences and no developed body paragraph, so the information is not organised into a complete summary. The link between the tables and the overall trend is also not extended with supporting comparisons. Build a clear structure with an introduction, an overview, and one or two paragraphs grouping the main figures and district trends. Use linking expressions to show contrasts, for example, between Manhattan’s declining share and the growth of the other districts.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “population”, “districts”, “increased” and “dramatically”, and the meaning is generally clear. However, the range is narrow and several expressions are repetitive or imprecise for a data summary. “The table number two and three” is an awkward way to refer to the visuals, while “whole population” is less natural than “total population”. The response also lacks vocabulary for describing numerical change and comparison, such as “accounted for”, “rose”, “declined” or “whereas”. Aim to use precise reporting language and vary verbs when describing the figures. This will help you communicate the main trends more effectively without relying on general statements.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response uses short, mostly understandable sentences, including a simple overview sentence with “Overall”. However, the grammatical range is limited, and there are errors in the introductory sentences. In “The first table illustrated changes”, the past tense is not appropriate for describing what the table shows; use the present simple, “illustrates”. The phrase “The table number two and three illustrated” also has a subject–verb agreement problem and an awkward noun structure; write “The second and third tables illustrate”. The article is missing in “total population”, which should be “the total population”. Practise accurate present-tense reporting structures, and add varied sentence forms to compare figures and trends.

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