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 given tables show the variations in the overall population of New York City and in its five districts: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, there is a substantial increase in total population of New York City. However, various trends can be seen at district level. In 1800 and 1900 Manhattan district occupied a large percentage of population, which decreased dramatically in 2000. While the population in other districts increased with time.

In 1800 the population of New York City was 79,216, out of which a large portion (76%) was living in Manhattan, while only 16 percent was in the other four districts. The population of this city increased by a huge surge in 1900 reaching 3,437,202. The percentage of Manhattan decreased to 54%, while the percentage of other districts increased to 46%.

In 2000, the overall population was almost triple to 8,009,185. On the other hand, the percentage of people living in Manhattan dramatically fell to 19%. In contrast, other districts contributed to 81% of total population.

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 the overall population changes and the district breakdown over the two-century span. An appropriate overview is provided, highlighting the substantial growth of New York City and the shift in population distribution away from Manhattan toward other districts. Key data points, such as the initial and final populations and percentages (e.g., 79,216 in 1800 to 8,009,185 in 2000), are accurately cited from the tables. However, there is a minor arithmetic or transcription slip in the first body paragraph where the student mentions 'only 16 percent was in the other four districts' instead of the correct 24%, though this does not significantly detract from the overall quality of the response. Ideas are well-supported with relevant data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised, beginning with an introductory paraphrase, followed by an overview paragraph, and then chronological body paragraphs detailing the data for 1800, 1900, and 2000. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'While', 'In 1800', and 'In contrast' are used effectively to guide the reader through the information and establish clear comparisons. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph serving a distinct function. Although referencing is mostly clear, transitional flow between sentences in the second body paragraph could be slightly smoother. Overall, the structural progression is logical and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing functional terms such as 'variations', 'substantial increase', 'dramatically fell', and 'contributed to'. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of collocation and style. There are occasional slight inaccuracies or awkward expressions, such as 'almost triple to 8,009,185' (which should be 'almost tripled to') and 'occupied a large percentage of population'. Nevertheless, spelling is accurate, and the lexical choices adequately convey the numerical trends and proportions without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating subordinate clauses and prepositional phrases successfully (e.g., 'While the population in other districts increased with time' and 'out of which a large portion (76%) was living in Manhattan'). There are some minor grammatical errors, such as 'total population' missing an article ('the total population'), and the awkward phrasing 'population was almost triple to'. Punctuation is generally correct. The majority of simple structures are error-free, and complex structures are attempted with reasonable control, placing this response securely in the Band 6.5 to 7.0 range.

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