Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-19

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 illustrate the variations in the total population of New York and its five districts-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island-in 1800, 1900 and 2000.

Overall, New York became more populated over the period. Although, Manhattan had the highest number of residents in the first two years, others districts showed a significant growth in the total population and dominated Manhattan in 2000.

In 1800, New York had 79,216 residents. This figure then climbed to 3,437,185 in 1900 before peaking at 8,[redacted phone] in 2000. Notably, the number of residents in Manhattan rose from 60,515 in 1800 to 1,850,093 in 1900, after which it declined slightly to 1,538,096 in 2000. In percentage, Manhattan accounted for 76% of the total population, which then fell to 54% in 1900 and then to 19% by the end.

In contrast, other districts recorded the lowest number of residents, at 18,701, with 24% in 1800. Following that, the proportion of the total population almost doubled to 46%, with 1,587,109 number of residents in 1900. By 2000, this figure had grown markedly to 6,471,089, accounting for 81% of New York total population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively identifies the main trends and provides a clear overview. You successfully highlighted the shift in population dominance from Manhattan to the other districts. However, the task required reporting on the five specific districts. While you grouped them as 'other districts,' you missed the opportunity to provide more granular detail about the individual growth of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island, which were explicitly provided in the tables. Including specific data points for these districts would have provided a more comprehensive summary. The data is generally accurate, though there is a minor transcription error in the peak population figure (8,009185).

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use cohesive devices such as 'In contrast,' 'Following that,' and 'Notably' to link ideas effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the general trend from the specific data analysis. To reach a higher band, ensure that the transition between the overview and the body paragraphs is slightly more fluid, and avoid minor mechanical errors in referencing, such as the slightly awkward phrasing 'in the first two years' when referring to the years 1800 and 1900.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information clearly. Phrases like 'accounted for,' 'grown markedly,' and 'recorded the lowest number' are used appropriately. There are some minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as '1,587,109 number of residents,' which is redundant. Additionally, the phrasing 'dominated Manhattan' is slightly unnatural in this context; 'surpassed' or 'outpaced' would be more precise. The vocabulary is adequate for the task, but incorporating more sophisticated synonyms for 'increase' or 'decrease' would enhance the lexical variety.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You show good control over basic grammar, and your meaning is always clear. There are some minor errors, such as the missing comma in the population figure '8,009185' and the slightly awkward 'New York total population' (missing the possessive 's'). While you use complex sentences, they are generally error-free. To improve, ensure consistent use of articles and possessives. The punctuation is generally sound, though the hyphenation in the first paragraph could be more standard.

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