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 provides information on how the total population in New York City changed in the period between 1800 and 2000. The other two tables display data of population change in five districts of the city over the same period.

Overall, population has increased over the years in New York City. Manhattan, which was most crowded in 1800, showed a significant decline in its population. Contrary to this, other districts were reported less crowded in 1800, showed a major increase in 2000.

Although, New York City was recorded with 79,216 population rate in 1800, with the passage of time the population increased with 3,437,202 people, in 1900. In addition, the survey results showed an increment about 8,009,185 people in 2000.

In the other table, five different districts were reported where Manhattan reported with highest population of 76% (60,515 people) compared to other districts Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island which accounted for 24% of total population in 1800. Meanwhile, in 1900, Manhattan showed a decline in its population with 54% of total population while other districts proportion rose to 46%. Similarly, other districts represented a noticeable increase in its population with 81% whereas Manhattan's population drops to 19% with only 1,538,096 people.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall pattern: New York City’s population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. The response also includes relevant figures for all three years and correctly reports the 1800 and 2000 proportions. This gives the report a clear overview and covers the main comparisons. However, some features are less fully developed: Manhattan’s population rose from 60,515 to 1,850,093 by 1900 before declining to 1,538,096 in 2000, but the account describes this mainly as a decline. The 1900 and 2000 figures for the other districts are also not stated, and “population rate” is unclear when referring to the city’s total. More precise reporting of these changes would strengthen the summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs reporting the figures and district comparisons. Its progression from the citywide trend to the district data is generally logical, and linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Meanwhile,” and “Similarly” help guide the reader. Some connections are less clear or mechanical, however. “Although” begins a sentence without a contrasting clause, and “Similarly” introduces a contrast between the districts rather than a parallel point. The final paragraph also combines several years and comparisons in a long sequence, making the trend harder to follow. Use clearer year-by-year grouping and ensure each linking word accurately signals the relationship between ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of topic vocabulary, including “total population,” “proportion,” “decline,” and “noticeable increase,” and the meaning is generally understandable. There are, however, several noticeable word-choice and collocation problems that limit precision. “Population rate” is not the right expression for a population total, while “reported with highest population” and “showed an increment about” are unnatural. “Other districts were reported less crowded” also shifts from population figures to a claim about crowding. Repeated use of “population” and “increase” further narrows the range. Aim for accurate, natural phrases such as “accounted for,” “the population stood at,” and “the share rose,” rather than using less suitable synonyms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “Although” and “while,” and the main information is usually understandable. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly in sentence construction and verb forms. “Although, New York City was recorded with…” is an incomplete or incorrectly punctuated concessive structure; remove “Although” or complete the contrast. In “other districts … showed a major increase in 2000,” the subject is plural, but later “other districts represented a noticeable increase in its population” has a mismatched pronoun. The shift from “population has increased” to past-tense reporting is also inconsistent for a period ending in 2000. Check clause structure, agreement, and consistent past-tense forms when describing these historical figures.

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