Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-04

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 show huge changes in the total population of New York City throughout the years.

In 1800 the total population of New York City were 79,216 and in 1900 the total polupation of the city increase approx four time. In 1900 the population of the city increase approx ten times from 1800.

The population of manhattan district were increase in number but decrease in percentage throughout the years. the second table show the population and the percentage of the population of the manhattan district. in second table, in 1800 the population of the manhattan district were [redacted phone] and the percentage of the total population were 76%. and in the 2000 the total population of the district were 1,2238,096 and the percentage were 19%.

In the 3rd table other four district (brooklyn, of the new york city, the total population were increase and the percentage of the total population also increase.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the broad trends that the city grew and Manhattan’s share declined, but the response reports the tables only minimally and contains major inaccuracies. For example, Manhattan had 60,515 residents in 1800, not “605151,” and its 2000 population was 1,538,096, not “1,2238,096.” The statement that Manhattan’s population increased is also misleading: it rose to 1,850,093 in 1900, then fell by 2000. The other districts’ population and share did rise, but no figures or meaningful comparisons are provided, and there is no clear overview of the city’s overall growth from 79,216 to 8,009,185. The response is also 7 words below the 150-word minimum. Include an accurate overview and select key figures across all three years.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic sequence, moving from the city total to Manhattan and then the other districts, and the repeated references to the tables help indicate the topic of each section. However, the progression is difficult to follow because the first paragraph gives contradictory comparisons: it says the population increased “approx four time” and then “approx ten times from 1800.” The final paragraph is incomplete (“other four district (brooklyn, of the new york city”) and does not develop its point. Paragraphing is present, but ideas within paragraphs are not clearly connected or fully explained. Organise the response into a concise overview followed by comparisons, and use clear links such as “By contrast” to show how Manhattan differed from the other districts.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “total population,” “percentage,” “district,” and “increase,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several choices or forms are inaccurate, such as “huge changes” where a more precise description is needed, and “increase approx four time.” Spelling errors such as “polupation” and inconsistent capitalisation of “Manhattan,” “Brooklyn,” and “New York City” also reduce control. Repetition of “population” and “percentage” makes the report less precise. Build a small range of accurate trend language and use it to distinguish absolute numbers from proportions—for example, “rose,” “fell,” “accounted for,” and “share.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response mainly uses simple statements and attempts a few longer structures, but grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make relationships unclear. Examples include “The first table show,” “the total population … were,” and “the population … were increase”; these require subject–verb agreement and correct verb forms. The sentence “In 1900 the population of the city increase approx ten times from 1800” also has an unclear comparison structure. Capital letters are missing at the start of sentences and after full stops, and the final sentence is unfinished. Practise accurate past-tense reporting, such as “The population increased,” and agreement with singular subjects, such as “the table shows.” Use complete sentences and check punctuation before submitting.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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