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 first table below illustrates changes in the total population of new york city from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the total population increased significantly, from 79,216 in 1800 to over 8 million in 2000. Manhattan had the largest share in 1800, but the other four districts became much more populated over time.

In 1800, New york city had a population of 79,216. Manhattan account from 60,515 people, or 76% of the total, while the other districts had only 18,701 people or 24 percent.

In 1900, the total population had risen to 3,437,202 members. Manhattan population had increased to 1,850,093 individuals or 54 ratio. Futhermore other areas enhanced their population to 1,587,109 member of society or 46%.

In 2000, the total population increased further to 8,009,185. However, Manhattan’s population decreased to 1,538,096, and its share drop considerably to just 19%. Meanwhile, the other four districts experienced a large increase, reaching 6,471,089 people, or 81% of the total population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main changes and give a clear overview: the city grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. The figures you report for all three years match the tables, and the comparison between Manhattan and the combined other districts is relevant. However, the overview could be more precise by noting that Manhattan’s population itself peaked in 1900 before declining by 2000, while the city’s total continued to rise. The response is also below the required 150 words: 144 words were counted, with 13 words copied from the prompt excluded. Add a little more relevant comparison or detail to meet the minimum and develop the main features more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall arrangement: an introduction, a brief overview, and chronological paragraphs for 1800, 1900 and 2000. This makes the data easy to follow, and transitions such as “In 1900” and “Meanwhile” help signal changes. Cohesion is sometimes mechanical, however, because each paragraph follows the same year-by-year pattern and several sentences repeat “population” or “total population.” The link between the overview and the detailed account could also be stronger: explicitly contrast Manhattan’s rise and subsequent fall with the continued growth of the other districts. More varied comparisons and clearer referencing would make the progression feel less like a list of figures.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic vocabulary to describe the data, including “total population,” “share,” “decreased,” and “reaching,” and the meaning remains clear. There are also attempts at less common wording, but some choices are inaccurate or unnatural for a statistical report. For example, “54 ratio” should be expressed as a percentage or share, while “members” and “member of society” are unsuitable substitutes for people in population data. “Enhanced their population” is also an awkward collocation, and “Futhermore” is misspelled. Use precise, conventional terms consistently rather than forcing variety. This would improve accuracy and make the report sound more natural and appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple sentences and more complex forms, including the contrast in “Manhattan had the largest share in 1800, but the other four districts became much more populated over time.” Most of the information is understandable, but some grammatical errors remain. In “Manhattan account from 60,515 people,” the verb form and sentence construction are incorrect; “Manhattan’s population accounted for…” would be clearer. There are also errors in “Manhattan population had increased” and “its share drop,” where possessive forms and verb tense need attention. Check agreement and tense consistency when describing past data, and use articles or possessives where needed. Greater control of these patterns would make the otherwise clear comparisons more accurate.

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

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