Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-05

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 6.0)

As far as this graphic description is concerned, the given tables illustrate the information about change of population in different districts of New York, USA.

Overall, It is clear that there are some noticeable differences in population. Some aspect increased significantly while others slightly.

The population of New York city drastically increased in 19th century almost by 4 times and also in 2000 get doubled. The population of Manhattan district has the largest share of 76% in 1800 which is higher than all other districts. While in 1900 the population share of Manhattan was 54% and other remaining 4 districts all-together share 46% of New York Population.

When we analyze the year 2000 Manhattan share decreased to 19% while other districts has 81% of population share which is higher than Manhattan district and that was drastic change of population because Manhattan people shifted to other districts which become the reason of significant change. But the increment of population in all years remains relative.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main broad trends: New York’s total population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ combined share grew. The percentages for all three years are reported accurately, and the comparison between Manhattan and the other districts in 2000 is relevant. However, some key information is incomplete or imprecise. The total population did not simply “get doubled” in 2000; it rose from about 3.4 million in 1900 to 8 million. Manhattan’s population also increased between 1800 and 1900 before declining by 2000, a useful contrast that is not clearly explained. The claim that Manhattan residents shifted to other districts is unsupported by the tables, which show population changes but not migration. Develop the overview and report these changes more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable progression from an introduction and overview to comparisons across the three years. Time markers such as “in 1800,” “in 1900” and “when we analyze the year 2000” help readers follow the data. However, the overview is vague (“some noticeable differences”) and does not clearly preview the central contrast between Manhattan’s declining share and the other districts’ growth. Some links are mechanical or unclear: “While” begins a sentence that is not fully integrated with the preceding point, and “But the increment of population in all years remains relative” does not clearly connect to the evidence. Organise the body around the total population trend and the changing district shares, and use clearer references to the figures so each comparison follows logically.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing trends, including “increased,” “share,” “decreased” and “significant change,” so the main message is generally understandable. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “drastically increased.” However, several choices are imprecise or unnatural for a data report: “graphic description,” “increment of population,” and “remains relative” do not express the intended meaning clearly. “Get doubled” is also an awkward way to describe the rise in the total. Repetition of “population” and “share” limits flexibility, while “drastic” is used without a precise explanation of the change. Aim for accurate collocations such as “the population rose” and “accounted for,” and choose wording that describes the figures rather than inferring causes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and more complex sentences, including comparisons linked with “while” and a clause beginning “When we analyze…”. The overall meaning is usually recoverable, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “Some aspect increased” has a number-agreement problem, and “other districts has 81%” should use a plural verb. The sentence beginning “The population of New York city…” has an unclear structure, while “which become the reason” has an incorrect verb form and an awkward clause connection. Capitalisation and punctuation are also inconsistent, as in “Overall, It” and “New York city.” Review subject–verb agreement, past-tense forms, and sentence boundaries, especially when combining comparisons and explanations.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.