Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-12
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 shows overall changes in the total population of New York city, from 1800 to 2000. Whereas, the second and third table shows population changes across five districts of the city - Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island, represented in percentage as well.
Overall, the first table shows the combined population in all five districts of New York city increased by many folds in each century. However, the percentage of total population in Manhattan continued to decrease from 1800 to 2000, but the trend was opposite in other districts.
Initially, in 1800, the total population of all five districts of New York city was over 79,000 and the number increased substantially to 3,437,202 in 1900. The total pouplation of New York city again increased drastically to 8,009,185 in 2000.
Manhattan accounted for 76% of total population in 1800, but this figure decreased significantly in the next 2 centuries, 54% and 19% respectively. In contrast, this trend was opposite in other districts. The combined percentage of other four districs was 24% of total population in 1800 and the number increased to almost double, 46% in 1900. The proportion increased further to 81% in 2000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The candidate successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by summarising the overall population trends of New York City and providing a clear breakdown of the five districts. The main features are identified, such as the massive population growth from 1800 to 2000 and the shifting demographic weight away from Manhattan toward the other four districts. Data is accurately cited to support these points, including the specific figures for 1800, 1900, and 2000, as well as the percentage shifts. The response presents a clear and comprehensive overview without missing critical data trends, fulfilling the requirements for a Band 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that separate the overall population data from the district percentage breakdowns. Cohesive devices are used appropriately, such as 'Overall', 'Initially', 'In contrast', and 'respectively', which help guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct concepts. However, referencing and transitional flow could be slightly more polished to achieve a higher band, making this a solid Band 7.0 performance.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The candidate demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to handle the task flexibly and precisely. Useful reporting and comparative phrasing are employed, such as 'increased substantially', 'decreased significantly', and 'In contrast'. There are a few minor lexical inaccuracies or typographical errors, such as 'pouplation' (population) and 'districs' (districts), but these do not impede communication. The use of terms like 'proportion', 'combined percentage', and 'trend' reflects an adequate awareness of academic style, placing the response comfortably at Band 6.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The writer uses a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating clauses of concession and time (e.g., 'Whereas, the second and third table shows...' and 'Manhattan accounted for 76% of total population in 1800, but this figure decreased significantly...'). There are some minor grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('second and third table shows' instead of 'show') and missing articles ('total population' instead of 'the total population'). Nevertheless, the majority of sentences are clear and error-free, and communication is never impeded, meriting a Band 6.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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