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 table from the question shows the transition of population over hundreds of years in New York City. Firstly, from the table, it is very evident that the pupulation has exploded in the 20th century. If we calculate the difference, we will see that the geometric increase of population growth is much larger in [redacted phone] than in [redacted phone]. So, it is increasing at a geometric rate.

Another fact is that the largest percentages of the total population happened in the Manhattan city. But surprisingly it started decreasing with time. In 2000, the result is only 19%. On the other hand, the population growth has increased in other districts over time. In recent years, the other districts like Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens etc contains the larger percentage of the population than the busiest city like Manhattan. If we calculate, the result is 57% decrease in Manhattan and 57% increase in other districts

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main broad patterns: New York’s population grew substantially, Manhattan’s share fell, and the other districts’ share rose. The figures of 19% in 2000 and the shift in population distribution are relevant. However, some key details are missing or imprecise. The total population figures are not reported, and the claim that Manhattan had the largest percentage is not clearly anchored to the years: it led in 1800 and 1900, but not in 2000. Also, the stated 57% decrease and increase are not supported by the table’s percentage figures; the shares changed from 54% to 19% and from 46% to 81% between 1900 and 2000. A clearer overview and accurate comparisons would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a generally understandable progression, moving from overall population growth to the contrast between Manhattan and the other districts. Linking phrases such as “On the other hand” help signal that contrast, and the ideas remain relevant to the task. However, the organisation is limited to two broad blocks, and the opening paragraph mixes an overview with an unsupported explanation of the growth rate. Phrases such as “Another fact” and “If we calculate” are somewhat mechanical, while “the result” does not clearly identify which figure is being discussed. Group the overall totals and the district comparison more deliberately, and use precise references such as “Manhattan’s share” to make connections between figures clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of vocabulary for describing change, including “transition,” “decreasing,” “population growth,” and “percentage.” These choices make the main comparisons understandable, and you attempt more formal language such as “geometric increase.” However, some wording is inaccurate or unnatural for this data description: “geometric rate” is not established by the figures, “happened in the Manhattan city” is awkward, and “busiest city” does not accurately describe Manhattan’s role in the table. There are also spelling and word-form slips, notably “pupulation” and “contains” where the plural subject requires a different form. Prefer precise terms such as “share,” “accounted for,” and “rose/fell,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use both simple statements and more complex forms, including the conditional “If we calculate the difference, we will see…” and the contrastive sentence beginning “On the other hand.” Most of the meaning is recoverable, but some grammatical choices reduce accuracy. In “the other districts … contains,” the plural subject does not agree with the verb; “the largest percentages … happened” also has an awkward subject–verb construction. The sentence “In recent years, the other districts … contains the larger percentage” shifts from the table’s specific years to a vague time reference and has agreement and article problems. Aim for consistently accurate past-tense reporting of the three years, and use clear sentence structures when comparing the shares.

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

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