Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-30

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 data is divided into three different tables. The first table contains the population of New York City containing all five districts over the years 1800, 1900, and 2000. The second table displays the same data for a district in New York City called Manhattan alongside another column which shows the population corresponding to the year as a percentage of the total population. Lastly, the third table displays the same data with the new column, for the other remaining four districts.

Overall, Manhattan single handedly holds a huge chunk of New York's population in the first two centuries, while the other four districts hold a huge chunk of New York's population in the year 2000.

Comparing the two district graphs Manhattan had 60,515 people in the 1800s , which was 76% of the whole population living in New York at that time. Then in the 1900s Manhattan had 54% of the 3.4million people living in New York. However, in the 2000s population shifted to the other four districts resulting in a drastic jump from 46% to 81%.

In conclusion, Manhattan contributed more in the first two centuries, but population shifted to the other four districts in the 2000s.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main features of the data, but it lacks depth in reporting the specific figures for the other four districts. While you correctly identify the shift in population, you fail to provide a breakdown or specific comparison of the growth in the other districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) beyond a general statement. The overview is present but could be more analytical regarding the trends across the three centuries. To reach a higher band, ensure you select and report more specific data points from the tables to support your observations, rather than just summarizing the general shift.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, body paragraph, and conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different stages of the analysis. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'In conclusion', and 'Lastly' are used to guide the reader. However, the connection between sentences could be smoother; some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the link between the total population table and the district-specific tables could be more explicitly stated to improve the flow of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'drastic jump', 'contributed', and 'shifted'. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, particularly the phrase 'huge chunk', which is informal and lacks the precision required for an academic report. There is an attempt to use some less common vocabulary, but it is limited. To improve, focus on using more precise academic collocations and avoiding informal expressions to enhance the professional tone of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'population of New York City containing all five districts' (which is slightly awkward) and 'in the 1800s' (when referring to a specific year, 'in 1800' is more accurate). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are minor errors in spacing and comma usage. The majority of sentences are error-free, but the range of complex structures is somewhat limited.

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