Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-10

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)

The first table presentes the population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables show the changes in the number of residents of the five districts of the city over the same period.

Overall, the population of New York City increased considerably between the years 1800 and 2000. In the same period in Manhattan, the population grew between 1800 and 1900, but declined in 2000. Finally, the number of people in the other four districts raise dramatically from 1800 to 2000.

On the one hand, the population of New York City ( all five districts) increased from 79,216 person in 1800, 3,437,202 in 1900 to reach 8,009,185 in 2000 which it was a large development.

On the other hand, in Manhattan the number of residents grew from 60,515 person in 1800 ( 76% of total population), to reach in 1900 1,850,093 resident which it is 54% of the total. But a decline in 2000, 1,538,096 person (19%).

And last but not least, in the Other distracts such as Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, the population goes from 18,701 (24%) in 1800 to 1,587,109 (46%) in 1900 to reach in 2000 6,471,089 which it was 81% of total population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You cover the main features and report the figures accurately: the city’s total population rises from 79,216 to 8,009,185, Manhattan grows to 1900 before falling by 2000, and the other districts increase substantially. The overview also identifies the shift in population share, supported by the reported percentages. This gives a clear account of all three time points and the key contrast between Manhattan and the other districts. To make the summary more fully developed, state explicitly that Manhattan’s share falls from 76% to 19%, while the other districts’ share rises from 24% to 81%; these are especially important comparisons. Avoid vague evaluation such as “a large development” and focus on describing the scale and direction of change.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for the city total, Manhattan, and the other districts. This helps the reader locate the information. However, progression within the body is sometimes awkward, and linking phrases are used mechanically. “On the one hand” and “On the other hand” do not establish a clear contrast between the total and Manhattan, while “And last but not least” is conversational rather than a precise transition. Some sentences also join figures in a way that makes the sequence difficult to follow. Use straightforward links such as “Meanwhile” or “By contrast,” and organise each paragraph around a clear comparison across the three years.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing population data, including “increased considerably,” “declined,” “residents,” and “percentage,” so the main trends are understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms are inaccurate or unnatural. “Person” and “resident” should be plural when referring to these totals, “distracts” is a spelling error for “districts,” and “a large development” is not a natural way to describe population growth. “Raise dramatically” is also an unsuitable form and collocation in this context. Aim for precise, conventional data-reporting language and avoid conversational expressions such as “last but not least.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, errors are frequent, particularly in sentence construction, agreement, and the use of clauses. For example, “increased from 79,216 person … to reach 8,009,185 … which it was a large development” combines the figures with an ungrammatical relative clause. “The number … raise dramatically” has incorrect subject–verb agreement and tense, while “to reach in 1900” uses an awkward word order. Articles, plurals, and punctuation around brackets and spaces are also inconsistent. Build more controlled sentences, such as “The total rose from X in 1800 to Y in 1900, before reaching Z in 2000,” and check each clause for a clear subject and verb.

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