Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-14

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)

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The tables show changes in the population of New York City and its five districts from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the population of New York City increased significantly during the period. Manhattan had the largest share of the population in 1800, but its percentage decreased considerably by 2000. In contrast, the other four districts experienced a huge increase in both population and percentage.

In 1800, New York City had a total population of 79,216, of which 60,515 people lived in Manhattan. This represented 76% of the city's total population. By 1900, the city's population had increased dramatically to 3,437,202, while Manhattan's population reached 1,850,093, accounting for 54%. However, by 2000, Manhattan's population had fallen to 1,538,096, and its share dropped to only 19%.

The other four districts showed the opposite trend. Their combined population increased from just 18,701 in 1800 to 1,587,109 in 1900. By 2000, it had risen sharply to 6,471,089, representing 81% of New York City's total population. Therefore, most of the city's population was living outside Manhattan by 2000.t

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively identifies the main trends and provides a clear overview of the population shifts in New York City. You successfully highlight the contrast between Manhattan's declining share and the growth of the other districts. Key data points are selected to support these trends, such as the 1800 population figures and the 2000 percentages. The response is well-focused and covers all parts of the task. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are integrated smoothly into the narrative without relying too heavily on listing figures, and ensure the overview captures the most significant long-term shift more explicitly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group information effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'However', and 'Therefore' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the comparison. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the general city trends from the specific district analysis. The progression of ideas is clear throughout the response. The minor errors at the very beginning of the text (the garbled opening lines) are slightly distracting, but the main body of the essay is cohesive and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases like 'increased significantly', 'decreased considerably', and 'risen sharply' are used effectively to describe trends. There is an attempt to use varied terminology, though some word choices are standard. The vocabulary is generally accurate and appropriate for an academic report. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease' to avoid repetition and demonstrate a wider lexical range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with good control. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar does not impede communication. There is a minor issue with the opening lines, which contain some fragmented and repetitive text, but the rest of the essay is grammatically sound. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the use of complex structures, such as 'of which 60,515 people lived in Manhattan', shows a good command of syntax. Continued focus on proofreading to remove initial drafting errors will help maintain a high standard.

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