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 total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000 is shown in the first table. One of the tables below illustrates the population decline in Manhattan, while another table shows the growth of the other four districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island) of New York City. Overall, New York has experienced rapid population growth over two centuries. New York's four districts have shown substantial population growth over the same period. On the other hand, a decline in population can be seen in Manhattan.
New York's population was 79,216 initially in 1800, with 76% of residents residing in Manhattan and only 24% in all the other four districts combined. By 1900, there was a sharp increase in New York's population, and the total number reached 3,437,202. In 1900, a balance can be seen between Manhattan and the other four districts, with 54% and 46% respectively. 2000 was the time period when the percentage of population flipped completely. Only 19% remained in Manhattan. On the other hand, the other four districts had 81%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear overview and reporting main features and comparisons from the provided tables. The student successfully identifies the overall trend of rapid population growth in New York City alongside the contrast between Manhattan's population decline and the growth in the other four districts. Specific data points, such as the initial population in 1800 (79,216) and percentages for 1900 and 2000, are cited accurately to support the description. Although the second table ends after 1900 and the third table covers 1910 to 2000, the student synthesises this information adequately into a cohesive summary. Ideas are well developed and relevant, fulfilling the requirements for Band 7.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response exhibits a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is introduced with an introductory paragraph containing a broad overview, followed by specific details broken into subsequent paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand', 'By 1900', and 'In 1900' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the data comparisons. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating the introductory overview from the chronological and categorical data points. Referencing is generally clear, ensuring that the transitions between Manhattan and the other four districts remain intelligible, thus meeting the criteria for Band 7.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate and sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as 'population decline', 'rapid population growth', 'substantial population growth', and 'percentage of population flipped completely'. While there are a few slightly repetitive phrasing choices and the vocabulary sits mostly within standard descriptive bounds rather than featuring highly sophisticated uncommon lexical items, the word choice remains accurate and appropriate for an academic report. Minor slips do not impede communication, aligning the response with a Band 6.5 or solid 6.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The response demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating structures such as 'One of the tables below illustrates... while another table shows...' and relative clauses like '2000 was the time period when the percentage of population flipped completely.' There is generally good control of grammar and punctuation, and the majority of sentences are grammatically sound. Errors are infrequent and do not impede communication at all. The complexity of the sentence structures combined with a high proportion of error-free sentences justifies a Band 7 for this criterion.
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