Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-09

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 illustrate change in the total population New York City and compare the population of Manhattan and the other for districts in 1800, 1900, and 2000. Overall, New York City's total population increased dramatically throughout the period. While Manhattan initailly accounted for the largest share of the city's population, the other four districts gradually became more dominant, eventually accounting for the vast majority of residents.

In 1800, New York total population of 79,216, of whom 60,515 lived in Manhattan. By 1900, the city's population risen sharply to 3,437,202, while Manhatan's population reached 1,850,093. However, by 2000, Manhattan's population had fallen to 1,538,096, despite the city's total population increasing to over eight million.

In contrast, the combined population of the other four disticts increased substantially, from Just 18,701 in 1800 to 1

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main overall contrast accurately: the city grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share declined and the other districts became dominant. The figures given for 1800 and 1900, and Manhattan’s 2000 population, match the tables. However, the response ends mid-sentence at “from Just 18,701 in 1800 to 1”, so the other districts’ later figures and the key 2000 comparison are not reported. This leaves an important part of the data underdeveloped, despite the relevant overview. The response also falls 18 words short of the required minimum. To make the summary more complete, finish the comparison with the other districts’ 2000 population and share, and report the city’s final total clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear basic structure: an introduction and overview are followed by details about Manhattan and then a contrast with the other districts. The overview’s “While” construction and the transition “In contrast” help signal the main comparison, and the information generally follows the chronological order of the tables. However, the final paragraph is cut off, which interrupts progression and leaves the comparison unfinished. Some links between figures could also be made more explicit—for example, connect Manhattan’s fall by 2000 with the growth of the other districts. Complete the final paragraph and use clear references such as “the remaining districts” consistently to make the relationships between groups easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of task-related vocabulary, including “increased dramatically,” “accounted for the largest share,” “dominant,” and “combined population.” These choices communicate the main trends and show some flexibility beyond basic terms. There are, however, several spelling errors, including “initailly,” “Manhatan’s,” and “disticts,” and some phrasing is less precise, such as “the other for districts.” The unfinished final sentence also prevents you from demonstrating vocabulary for the full comparison. Check spelling carefully and use accurate labels such as “the other four districts” or “the remaining districts.” More precise wording will make the data summary sound clearer and more controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms. For example, the overview uses a subordinate “While” clause, and “despite the city’s total population increasing” expresses contrast effectively. Some grammatical errors remain, however, including the missing verb in “In 1800, New York total population of 79,216” and the missing auxiliary in “the city’s population risen sharply.” The opening sentence also needs a possessive form in “New York City’s total population.” These errors are understandable in context but show that control is not consistent. Proofread each sentence for a complete subject–verb structure and check verb forms, articles, and possessives before submitting.

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