Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-03

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 tables compare the population of New York City and its five districts in 1800,1900 and 2000. They also show the proportion of residents living in Manhattan and other four districts over the same period.

Overall, the New York City's population increased significantally over the last 200 years. Although, Manhattan population remained highest, its share of total population declined considerably, while the combined population of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island became dominant by 2000.

In 1800, New York City had 79216 residents. Manhattan contained 60515 people, which accounted for 76% of total, whereas other districts hold only 18701, which was 24%. In 1900, the city's population had grown sharply to [redacted phone]. Manhattan's population reached [redacted phone] or 54% of total population, while the remaining districts represented [redacted phone] inhabitants equivalent to 46%.

By 2000, the city's population had risen further to [redacted phone]. Manhattan's population fell slightly to [redacted phone], accounted for 19% only. In contrast, the population of other combined districts increased substantially to [redacted phone], accounting for 81% of New York population overall.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all parts of the prompt by presenting an overview of the total population figures alongside district-level breakdowns and percentages for the years 1800, 1900, and 2000. Key features and comparisons are correctly highlighted, such as the initial dominance of Manhattan and the subsequent shift in population toward the other four districts. The overview is clear and well-placed at the end of the introduction. However, some aspects of the data are slightly under-developed; for instance, the specific growth trajectories between the individual districts within the 'other' category are not fully explored. Overall, the content is relevant, accurate, and completely fulfills the requirements of the task, showing elements of higher band performance in selecting the key comparative trends while maintaining adequate coverage of the figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is grouped sensibly, beginning with an introductory overview paragraph, followed by a general summary and overview of trends, and then moving into a chronological presentation of the data across the specified years. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas and time periods. Cohesive devices are employed with reasonable flexibility, such as 'Overall', 'Although', 'In 1800', 'In 1900', 'By 2000', and 'In contrast', which guide the reader smoothly from one point to the next. Referencing throughout the response is generally clear and effective. To reach a higher band, the writer could make the logical transitions between sentences even more seamless and avoid minor mechanical repetition in sentence openers.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate and appropriate for the task, providing sufficient range to allow some precision when discussing numerical data and proportions. The student attempts less common vocabulary items and phrases, such as 'proportion of residents', 'declined considerably', 'dominant', and 'increased substantially'. Word choice is mostly effective, though there is a spelling slip with 'significantally' (significantly) and a minor missing preposition or article in phrases like 'accounted for 76% of total'. These lexical inaccuracies do not impede communication and allow the message to come across clearly. To achieve a higher score, the writer should incorporate a wider variety of sophisticated synonyms for data trends and ensure absolute accuracy in word forms and spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and subordinate structures successfully, as seen in 'which accounted for 76% of total, whereas other districts hold only 18701'. There is good control over past tense narrative forms required for historical data ('had grown sharply', 'fell slightly', 'had risen further'). However, there are some grammar and punctuation errors, such as the tense inconsistency of 'other districts hold only 18701' (instead of held), missing articles ('of total', 'New York population'), and a comma splice in the opening paragraph after the year list. Despite these errors, they rarely impede communication. The presence of frequent error-free complex sentences points toward higher-level control, though persistent minor slips keep the score balanced at this level.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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