Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-24

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 first table given shows the population of New York City as whole in three centuries (1800,1900 and 2000), while the second table shows the population of Manhattan in the same three centuries, and the last table shows the population of the other four districts of New York City combined in the same centuries.

Overall, the population of New York City in 1800 was 79,216, and by 2000 it increased to 8,009,185. The population of Manhattan, compared to the population of other districts, decreased over time.

In 1800, the population of New York City was 79,216; the population of Manhattan was 60,515, and the population of other districts was 18,701. In Manhattan, 76% of the population of New York City was living in Manhattan. Furthermore, in 1900, the population of New York City was 3,437,202; the population of Manhattan was increased to 1,850,093, and the population of other districts increased to 1,587,107. In Manhattan, 54% of the population of New York City was living in Manhattan.

Finally, by 2000, the population of New York City was 8,009,185; the population of Manhattan was 1,538,096, and the population of other districts was 6,471,089. By this year, the majority of the population had shifted from living in Manhattan to living in the other four districts; 81% of the population of New York City lived in the other four districts, while only 19% lived in Manhattan.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively identifies the main trends and provides a clear comparison between Manhattan and the other districts. You have successfully highlighted the shift in population distribution over the two centuries. However, the report could be improved by including more synthesis of the data rather than simply listing figures for each year. While you have covered all parts of the task, the analysis of the 'other districts' could be more nuanced, as you treat them as a single block without noting the individual growth patterns of the four districts mentioned in the prompt. Overall, the key features are well-selected and the overview is clear.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that follow a chronological order. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Finally', and 'while' helps to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different time periods. To reach a higher band, ensure that the transition between sentences is less mechanical; for example, the repetitive structure of 'the population of... was...' could be varied to improve the flow of information.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the data, such as 'increased', 'shifted', and 'majority'. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, particularly the frequent use of 'the population of'. To improve, try to use synonyms like 'inhabitants', 'residents', or 'demographic figures'. There are no significant spelling errors, and the vocabulary used is accurate enough to convey the intended meaning clearly, though it lacks the sophistication required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the grammar is generally accurate, there are some minor errors, such as 'the population of Manhattan was increased' (should be 'increased' or 'grew') and 'as whole' (should be 'as a whole'). The punctuation is generally correct, and the errors present do not impede communication. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as participial phrases or relative clauses, to add more sophistication to your writing.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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