Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-18

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 very first table illustrates the change in the population of New York City from the 18th to the 20th century, followed by the two tables which show the population change in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island from 1800 to the year 2000. Overall, the big change in the population was in the four districts of New York City except Manhattan contributed more people to the total population.

In the 18th century, the total population of New York City was around 80 thousand; Manhattan alone contributed above 60 thousand people, 76% of the total population. However, the combined population of the other four districts was around 18,701 people, contributing 24% to the total population. In the 19th century, the total population of New York City was around 3.5 million; Manhattan alone accounted for almost 1.9 million, 54% of the total population. The other four districts combined had around 1.6 million people, which contributed 46% to the total population.

In the 20th century, the total population of New York City was slightly above 8 million; Manhattan accounted for slightly above 1.5 million, 19% of the total population, followed by the other four districts which contributed almost 6.5 million people, 81% to the total population of New York City.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all parts of the visual data by reporting figures for the total population of New York City alongside a breakdown of Manhattan versus the other four districts across the three designated years. The overview in the introduction is present, though slightly awkward in phrasing when stating that the four districts 'contributed more people'. Main features and comparisons are correctly identified, such as the shift from Manhattan housing the majority of the population in 1800 to the other districts dominating by 2000. The data is accurately represented without major omissions or factual distortions, satisfying the requirements for a Band 7 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized and progresses clearly through chronological periods, examining the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries in separate paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'In the 19th century', and 'followed by' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the comparisons. Paragraphing is logical, with each body paragraph dedicated to a specific time point, ensuring clear topical progression throughout the response. Referencing is generally clear and straightforward, supporting the overall coherence of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate and sufficiently precise for an Academic Task 1 report, incorporating terms like 'contributed', 'accounted for', 'combined population', and 'proportion'. While the range is somewhat standard and lacks truly sophisticated or uncommon lexical items, it effectively communicates the data. There are occasional slight inaccuracies or awkward collocations, such as 'the big change in the population was in the four districts... except Manhattan contributed more people', but these do not impede communication, placing the response firmly in the Band 6 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, successfully utilizing relative clauses and introductory prepositional phrases (e.g., 'In the 19th century, the total population...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, and control over punctuation and basic grammar is good. Minor slips occur, such as referring to the years 1800, 1900, and 2000 as the '18th, 19th, and 20th centuries' respectively, which is technically a chronological misnomer in historical terms, though it maps directly to the table headers. Grammar errors do not impede communication, supporting a solid Band 7 score.

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