Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-08

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 given table depicts the changes of New York City population from 1800 to 2000. Meanwhile, the data of other two tables shows how this population in terms of numbers and percentages changed in five districts of New York City during the mentioned duration.

Overall, the population of New York City significantly increased over the time. However, Manahattan district covered a major portion of percentage in 1800 which substantially decreased in 2000 and population in rest of the districts increased conversely.

In 1800 population in New York was only 79,216 which potentially rose to 3,437,202 in 1900 and finally to 8,009,185 in 2000.

The population of New York City was spread over 5 districts throughout this duration. Manhattan district covering most of the population in1800 and least as compared to other districts in 2000. Percentage of population comprised 24% and 76% in other districts and Manhattan respectively in 1800. Nevertheless, the percentile in other districts got tripled in 2000 and in Manhattan it decreased to 19% after two centuries.

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 total-population figures are accurate, and the 1800 and 2000 percentages are reported correctly. This covers the key features and supports the stronger performance within this criterion. However, the account is incomplete in places: it omits the 1900 district figures and the important reversal in Manhattan’s absolute population, which rose to 1,850,093 in 1900 before falling to 1,538,096 by 2000. The statement that Manhattan had the “least” population in 2000 is also inaccurate; it had less than in 1900, but the table does not show it as the smallest district. More precise comparisons would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs presenting figures and district comparisons. This gives the reader a coherent overall route through the information. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “However,” and “Nevertheless” help signal relationships, although some are used mechanically or do not express the relationship precisely. For example, “Nevertheless” introduces a straightforward comparison rather than a contrast that needs qualification. The final paragraph also repeats the idea that Manhattan’s share declined without clearly organising the 1800, 1900, and 2000 stages. Use clearer chronological sequencing and connect each comparison directly to its relevant year to make progression and referencing more consistent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “significantly increased,” “percentage,” “population,” and “decreased,” so the main trends are understandable. There are also attempts at more formal wording, but some choices are inaccurate or unnatural: “potentially rose” suggests uncertainty, “percentile” is not the correct term for a population share, and “covered a major portion of percentage” is awkward. “The mentioned duration” is also less natural than a direct reference to the period. These word-choice and collocation issues limit precision, even though they generally do not prevent the reader from understanding your meaning. Prefer straightforward, accurate language for describing figures and proportions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast introduced by “However” and a relative clause in “which substantially decreased.” Most of the message remains clear, but some grammatical errors and awkward constructions persist. For example, “the data of other two tables shows” has a subject–verb agreement problem and needs an article before “other”; “Manhattan district covering most of the population” is a sentence fragment; and “in1800” needs spacing. The sentence beginning “The population of New York City was spread over 5 districts” also leads into an incomplete comparison. Check agreement, articles, and sentence completeness, and make sure each sentence has a clear main verb. This would improve control while retaining your range of structures.

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

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