Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-13

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 6.5)

The given tables show firstly how the number of New York City citizens grew between 1800 to 2000. Moreover, how the specific population of each of the five districts changed, showing both the numbers and the percentages of the total population referring to the same period.

Overall, the total population continuously increased throughout the years. Manhattan had a different trend: the percentage of the total population steadly decreased over the years; The other cities (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) registered a growth over the given period.

First of all, Manhattan was originally the most populated one, with 76% of total population; after a century, it dropped to 54%. Finally in 2000 the percentage was the lowest one (19%).

This decrease was caused by a migration toward the other cities, infact, the percentage for Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island rose to 81% in 2000, when in the previous years (1800 and 1900), it was 24% and 46%, respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main contrast accurately: Manhattan’s share fell from 76% to 19%, while the other four districts’ combined share rose from 24% to 81%. You also note the overall population increase and give the intermediate 1900 percentages, so the response selects relevant features and is grounded in the tables. However, the overview is not fully precise: saying the other districts “registered a growth” could refer to population or share, and the claim that the change was “caused by a migration” is not supported by the data. The total population figures and the districts’ actual population counts are largely omitted, including Manhattan’s fall in numbers after 1900. More precise coverage of these figures and a cautious account of what the tables show would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response has a clear overall progression: an introduction, an overview, and then details about Manhattan and the other districts. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “First of all,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the sequence, and the comparison between the two groups is easy to understand. The organisation is effective, though the final two paragraphs focus on percentages and do not develop the total-population trend introduced earlier. Some connections are also slightly mechanical, and the semicolon in the overview joins two statements that would be clearer as separate sentences. To make the progression more complete, group the figures by time period or compare population counts and shares together, using references that clearly distinguish the combined districts from individual districts.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “percentage,” “total population,” “decreased,” and “rose,” and the meaning is generally clear. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “the given period.” However, some choices are imprecise or unnatural: “New York City citizens” is less suitable than a direct reference to the city’s population, and “the other cities” incorrectly labels the districts. “The lowest one” is vague, while “migration” introduces a cause that the tables do not establish. Spelling errors such as “steadly” and “infact” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise terms such as “districts,” “population share,” and “combined population,” and check spelling and collocations before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including a complex opening with “showing both the numbers and the percentages” and a comparison using “when.” The main ideas remain understandable, but some grammatical errors persist. The opening sentence is followed by the fragment “Moreover, how the specific population…,” which needs to be joined to the first sentence or rewritten as a complete clause. “Between 1800 to 2000” uses an incorrect preposition pattern; write “between 1800 and 2000.” The overview’s semicolon followed by “The” is also incorrectly punctuated, and “when in the previous years … it was” has an unclear singular reference to plural percentages. Use complete sentences, consistent plural agreement, and clearer punctuation to improve control.

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