Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-29
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 below shows changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000, while 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.
Overall, for New York City, 2000 accounted for the largest share, whereas 1800 recorded the lowest share. As for Manhattan as a percentage (%0) of total population, 1800 registered the highest figure, while 2000 accounted for the lowest share. Regarding other districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) for population, 2000 represented the highest figure, whereas 1800 had the lowest figure.
Looking first at New York City, the year 2000 occupied the top position, at around 8,009,185 people, followed by the year 1900, whose figure stood at approximately 3,437,202 people, whereas the year 1800 accounted for the smallest share, at 79,216 people.
Turning to Manhattan, the year 1800 registered the lowest figure, at around 60,515 people (76% of the total), with the year 2000 at approximately 1,538,096 people (19% of the total), while the year 1900 ranked first, at around 1,850,093 people (54% of the total).
As for other districts, the figures for the year 2000, the year 1900, and the year 1800 stood at around 6,471,089 (81% of the total) people, 1,587,109 people (46% of the total), and 18,701 people (24% of the total), respectively.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The student covers all parts of the task well, presenting data for the overall population of New York City as well as the breakdown for Manhattan and the other districts across the three specified years (1800, 1900, and 2000). The main features and notable comparisons—such as the massive overall population growth and the dramatic shift in population share from Manhattan to the other districts—are clearly highlighted. The data cited from the visual stimulus is accurate and correctly attributed. However, the introductory paragraph simply copies the prompt instructions verbatim rather than paraphrasing them, which detracts slightly from the standard academic tone. Nonetheless, the task is comprehensively addressed with fully supported data points, earning a solid Band 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5
The response features a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Information is divided into logical paragraphs, beginning with an overview, followed by a body paragraph on the total population, another on Manhattan, and a final paragraph on the other districts. Cohesive devices are utilized appropriately to guide the reader through the data, such as 'Looking first at', 'Turning to', and 'As for other districts'. However, the overall paragraph relies on somewhat repetitive phrasing structures ('the year X registered the lowest/highest figure'), which makes the cohesion occasionally mechanical. Paragraphing is used effectively, and referencing is clear throughout, supporting a Band 7.0 score.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The student demonstrates an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task. Terms such as 'accounted for', 'represented', 'proportion', and 'respectively' are used correctly to discuss statistical data. There are occasional awkward expressions or typos, such as the strange percentage symbol notation in 'percentage (%0) of total population' in the second paragraph, but this does not impede communication. The vocabulary is sufficient to allow flexibility and precision when reporting figures, though it lacks the truly sophisticated or wide-ranging uncommon lexical items that would characterize a higher band. Overall, the lexical resource fits the Band 6.5 descriptor well.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5
The student displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating various dependent clauses ('while the second and third tables show...', 'whereas the year 1800 accounted for...'). Control over grammar is generally sound, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout the lengthy numerical descriptions. While there are a few slightly clunky phrasings or minor stylistic issues, the majority of sentences are grammatically accurate and communication is never impeded. Complex structures are attempted and managed with reasonable success, meriting a Band 7.0 for grammatical range and accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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