Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-07

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 6.0)

The tables provide information about changes in the population of New York city and its districts between 1800 and 2000.

Overall, the population of New York city increased o er the time. While Manhattan was the largest district in 1800 and 1900, its share of the total population declined considerably by 2000. It contrast, the other four districts experianced substaintal growth.

In 1800, New York City had a total population of 79,216. Manhattan accountad for 60,515 people, or 76% of the city's population, Whereas the other district only 18,701 people (24%). By 1900, the total population had risen sharply to3,437,202. Manhattans population increased to 1,850,093, representing 54% of the total. Whole the other districts reached 1,587,109, or 46%.

By 2000, the city's population had more than doubled from the 1900 figure reaching 8,009,185. However, Manhattan's population 1,538,096, and decreased 19%. In comparison, the population of the other four districts 6,471,089 for 81% of the city's total population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main changes and make relevant comparisons across all three years. The overview identifies the city’s overall growth and the sharp fall in Manhattan’s share, while the body supports this with accurate figures for both Manhattan and the other districts. The contrast between Manhattan’s population rising to 1,850,093 in 1900 and then falling to 1,538,096 by 2000 is particularly useful. However, the overview says Manhattan was the largest district in 1800 and 1900, although the tables compare Manhattan with the other four districts combined; this wording could be more precise. Also, “more than doubled” describes the city’s growth from 1900 to 2000 but does not highlight the substantial increase in the other districts’ population. More precise overview comparisons would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and chronological paragraphs covering 1800–1900 and 2000. This makes the information easy to follow, and linking expressions such as “By 1900,” “However,” and “In comparison” help signal changes and contrasts. Some connections are less successful or unclear, however. “It contrast” does not form a clear transition, and “However, Manhattan’s population 1,538,096, and decreased 19%” leaves the relationship between the figure and the percentage difficult to follow. The final paragraph would be clearer if it explicitly stated that Manhattan’s population fell from its 1900 peak, while the other districts accounted for most of the city’s growth. More precise referencing and transitions would make the progression smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-appropriate vocabulary, including “increased,” “declined considerably,” “representing,” and “in comparison,” to describe trends and proportions. These choices generally communicate the data clearly, and you attempt more formal language than simple repetition of “went up” or “went down.” However, several spelling and word-choice errors reduce accuracy: “experianced,” “substaintal,” and “accountad” appear in key descriptions, while “decreased 19%” is not a natural way to express a share falling to 19%. “Other district” also needs a plural form when referring to the four districts. Check spelling carefully and choose precise collocations for population and percentage changes; this will make your vocabulary more controlled and professional.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast clause beginning “While Manhattan…” and time-linked sentences such as “By 1900, the total population had risen…”. Most of the data remains understandable, but some grammatical errors affect clarity. For example, “Manhattan’s population 1,538,096” is missing a verb, and “the population of the other four districts 6,471,089” also needs a verb such as “was.” In “Manhattan accountad for 60,515 people,” the past-tense verb form is incorrect; “the other district only 18,701 people” likewise lacks a finite verb. The sentence “Manhattan’s population had more than doubled…” also needs a clearer grammatical connection to the figure that follows. Review complete sentence structure and verb forms when reporting figures.

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