Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-27

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 tables depict the net population of New York City across three year period: 1800, 1900 and 2000, and compare the population of all five districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan) within the city in the same period.

Overall, the city saw a massive population growth in the span of two centuries. Furthermore, while the growth within Manhattan remained positive, other districts combinedly outgrew it.

In 1800, New York had just 79,216 people, where 76% lived in Manhattan and the rest in other districts. In the span of 100 years, the population in New York City grew extensively by over 3 million, reaching 3,437,202. During that time, Manhattan comprised 54% of total population and the other districts collectively consisted 46%.

Furthermore, in 2000, there lived around 8 million people in the New York City. During that time, people started to settle more in other districts as compared to Manhattan, as over 6 millions of New Yorkers lived in other districts besides Manhattan.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main features of the data, including the overall growth trend and the shift in population distribution between Manhattan and the other districts. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you mention the total figures for 1800, 1900, and 2000, you do not provide enough specific data points for the individual districts (e.g., the rapid growth of Brooklyn or the relative decline of Manhattan's share). The summary is accurate but lacks the depth required for a higher band, as it misses the opportunity to compare the specific growth rates of the smaller districts against the city-wide total.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that follow a chronological order. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different time periods. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'while', and 'in the span of' are used to link ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing of 'other districts' is repetitive. To improve, try to vary the way you introduce comparisons and ensure that the flow between sentences is smoother by using a wider variety of linking phrases.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'depict', 'net population', and 'collectively'. However, there are some minor inaccuracies and awkward phrasings, such as 'combinedly outgrew it' and 'in the span of three year period' (which should be 'a three-year period'). The vocabulary is generally functional but lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and avoiding repetitive phrasing when describing statistical trends.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'there lived around 8 million people' (which is stylistically awkward) and 'consisted 46%' (which should be 'consisted of 46%'). Additionally, there are minor errors with articles and prepositions, such as 'in the New York City'. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions will help improve your accuracy.

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