Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-21

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 illustrate the total population of New Work city and its distribution across Manhattan and four other districts( brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, staten Island) in 1800, 1900 and 2000.

Overall, it is evident that New york city experienced dramatic population growth over the 20-year period. Additionally, while Manhattan initially contained the vast majority of the city's total population dropped significantly over time as the other districts expanded rapidly.

In 1800, the overall population of New york city stood at just 72,216. Manhattan was the dominant figure, housing 60,515 residants, which accounted for the 76% of the city's population. In contrast, The remaining four districs combined had only 18,701 inhabitants making up 24% of the total population.

Byu 1900, The total population of New York City surgued to 3,437,202. Manhattan's population grew substamstially to 1,850,093, representing a slight majority of 54%. However, The other districts saw an even steeper rise, reaching, 1,587,109 residents (46%).

By 2000, New York city's population reached over 8 million. During this final century, Manhattan's population decreased to 1,538,096, reducing of the total population of 19%. Meanwhile, the proportion of the other districts surgued to 6,471,089, comprising 81% of the total city population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student covers all key features of the data across the specified years, presenting the overall growth trend and comparing Manhattan with the other districts effectively. Data points such as population numbers and percentages are accurately cited from the charts, such as Manhattan accounting for 76% in 1800 and 19% in 2000. However, there is a minor chronological calculation slip in the overview where the student writes 'over the 20-year period' instead of a 200-year period (1800 to 2000). Despite this minor oversight, the task is well addressed with clear comparisons and a strong overview.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised with a clear overarching progression from introduction to overview, followed by chronological body paragraphs detailing 1800, 1900, and 2000. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader through the data (e.g., 'Additionally', 'In contrast', 'Meanwhile'). However, cohesion is occasionally slightly mechanical, and referencing could be smoother. The structure successfully supports the comparison of data sets throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate to good range of vocabulary suitable for describing statistical data and trends, using terms like 'dominant figure', 'substantially', 'steeper rise', and 'proportion'. Less common lexical items are attempted with general success, although there are a few noticeable typos and spelling errors (e.g., 'New Work', 'brooklyn', 'staten', 'residants', 'districs', 'Byu', 'surgued', 'substamstially'). These errors reflect occasional slips in control rather than a fundamental lack of lexical range, placing the response firmly at a Band 6.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

A mix of simple and complex sentence structures is used to report the data effectively. The student demonstrates good control over complex clauses and comparative structures (e.g., 'while Manhattan initially contained the vast majority... dropped significantly over time as the other districts expanded rapidly'). Grammatical accuracy is generally good, though minor errors persist, such as capitalization issues ('New york city', 'Brooklyn') and awkward phrasing in modifier phrases ('reducing of the total population of 19%'). The majority of sentences are clear and do not impede communication.

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