Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-17
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 illustrates the changes in New York City's population between 1800 and 2000. The other two tables depict the differences in population of five districts of city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) throughout the same period.
Overall, the population of New York city was significantly increased over the given period. While, the population of Manhattan was noticed to plummet over the years, it was quite the opposite for the combined population of other four districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island).
In 1800, the population of New York City was 79,216 which climbed dramatically to 3,437,202 in 1900 and ultimately peaked at 8,009,185 in the year 2000. Manhattan alone accounted for 76% of the New York total population, that is around 60,515 in the first year. However, despite the population increase over the years, in 2000, Manhattan contributed only 19% to total New York's population.
In contrast, the percentage other four districts contributed to New York's total population kept increasing along with the population count. While, in 1800, other districts accounted for only 18%, this figure dramatically increased to 81% by the end of the period
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 student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the population changes in New York City and its districts between 1800 and 2000. Key data points, such as the total population growth from 79,216 to over 8 million, and the shift in population distribution away from Manhattan toward the other districts, are accurately cited. An overview is present in the second paragraph, highlighting the general upward trend in total population and the contrasting trends between Manhattan and the other districts. Data is well-selected and compared where relevant, demonstrating a clear understanding of the visual information provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory paragraph, followed by a clear overview paragraph, and then body paragraphs that detail the specific statistics. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different aspects of the data. Cohesive devices such as 'While', 'In contrast', and 'However' are used effectively to signal comparisons and contrasts, although there are minor punctuation issues around these connectors, such as unnecessary commas ('While, the population...'). Overall, information and ideas are presented coherently throughout.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms like 'plummet', 'climbed dramatically', 'accounted for', and 'contributed'. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style, such as 'ultimately peaked' and 'percentage other four districts contributed'. However, there are a few minor lexical and grammatical word choice slips, such as 'five districts of city' (missing an article) and a slight mathematical inaccuracy in the final paragraph where the student states other districts accounted for 'only 18%' in 1800 instead of the correct figure of 24% from the table.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, using dependent clauses ('While the population of Manhattan was noticed to plummet...') and relative structures effectively. There is a good variety of structures overall. However, a few grammatical errors are present, including awkward passive phrasing ('was noticed to plummet'), missing articles ('of city'), and slight punctuation issues with introductory clauses. These errors do not impede communication, and there are several error-free sentences, supporting a solid Band 6.5 level of control.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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