Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-13

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 provides information about how the total population shifted in New York City between 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables provide data on the demographic changes in the five districts of the city (Manhattan,Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over a 200-year period.

Overall, the population increased significantly in New York City from 1800 to 2000. However, Manhattan's percentage share of the total population declined throughout the period, and the population in other districts rose sharply over the 200-year period.

In 1800, the population of New York City was 79,216 which was the lowest population over the entire period. The figure increased sharply in 1900 to 3,437,202 people before reaching its peak of 8,009,185 residents in 2000. Regarding Manhattan's, the population was 60,515 and the percentage share of total was 76% in 1800. Although the population increased in 1900, the share dipped and stood at 54%. In 2000, the total population number was the highest whereas the percentage share was 19% which was the lowest over the entire period.

The population of the other districts in 1800 stood at 18,701, respresenting 24%of the total, which was the lowest figure for these

districts across the period. In 1900, the other districts population increased to 1, 587,109 people, showing 46% of the total. Finally, in 2000, the population reached its peak of 6,471, 089 citizens, with their percentage share of 81% which was the highest over the entire-

timeframe.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of both the overall total population and the district-level population changes from 1800 to 2000. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the significant overall increase alongside the declining percentage share of Manhattan and the contrasting sharp rise in other districts. Key data points are accurately selected and compared, such as the initial city total of 79,216 in 1800 rising to 8,009,185 in 2000, and Manhattan's share dropping from 76% to 19%. The response satisfies all requirements for a Band 7 performance under Task Achievement by presenting a clear and supported overview with relevant comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised into four paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the specific data points. Progression is generally clear throughout the text. Cohesive devices are used to link ideas, such as 'Overall', 'In 1800', 'Although', and 'Finally'. However, there are minor cohesion and referencing flaws, such as the awkward phrasing 'Regarding Manhattan's' and minor punctuation spacing errors in numbers ('1, 587,109' and '6,471, 089'). Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed body paragraphs, aligning well with the Band 7 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate and sufficient range of vocabulary for the task. Words and phrases such as 'demographic changes', 'percentage share', 'peaked', and 'declined' are used appropriately. There are attempts at less common vocabulary, though some awkward phrasing occurs, such as 'total population number was the highest'. Minor mechanical and spelling errors are also present, such as 'respresenting'. Nonetheless, the vocabulary is varied enough to convey the intended meaning precisely, easily fitting the criteria for a Band 6.5 or solid 6.0, rounded here to 6.5 for the effective use of statistical terminology.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses introduced by 'which' and 'although'. There are frequent error-free sentences, such as 'The first table provides information about how the total population shifted in New York City between 1800 to 2000' (noting a minor preposition slip with 'between... to'). Grammatical control is generally good, though minor errors persist, such as 'Regarding Manhattan's, the population was...' where the possessive apostrophe is misused. Punctuation and spacing errors appear in numbers. Overall, the grammatical range and accuracy correspond comfortably to a Band 6.5.

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