Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-26
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 show changes in the population of New York City and its five districts between 1800 and 2000.
Overall, the total population of New York City increased dramatically during the period. However, Manhattan’s share of the city’s population declined considerably, while the other four districts became increasingly populated.
In 1800, New York City had a population of 79,216, of which 60,515 people, or 76%, lived in Manhattan. The remaining districts accounted for only 18,701 people, representing 24% of the total. By 1900, the city’s population had risen sharply to 3,437,202. Manhattan’s population also increased to 1,850,093, although its proportion fell to 54%, while the other districts contained 46%.
By 2000, the city’s total population had reached 8,009,185. Manhattan’s population decreased to 1,538,096, and its share dropped dramatically to just 19%. In contrast, the other districts grew substantially to 6,471,089 people, accounting for 81% of the city’s population.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the data well, identifying the overall trend of population growth and the shift in distribution from Manhattan to the other districts. However, the response is slightly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the task achievement score. While the key data points are selected and compared effectively, the slight lack of length prevents a more comprehensive analysis of the specific district changes over the two-century period. To improve, ensure that you provide a slightly more detailed breakdown of the data to comfortably exceed the word count while maintaining focus on the most significant trends.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that follow a chronological progression. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'However', and 'while' are used effectively to link ideas and contrast the population shifts between Manhattan and the other districts. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next. The structure is clear and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band in this criterion.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for an academic report. You have used a good range of terms such as 'increased dramatically', 'declined considerably', 'risen sharply', and 'accounted for'. The language is precise and conveys the trends clearly without repetition. There are no spelling errors, and the word choices are well-suited to the context of describing statistical data. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate a few more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'population' and 'districts'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The grammar is highly accurate, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have successfully used subordinate clauses (e.g., 'of which 60,515 people... lived in Manhattan') and comparative structures. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over sentence structure is consistent, and the writing is error-free for the most part, demonstrating a strong command of English grammar.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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