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 data table illustrates the substantial changes in the total population of New York City including its five districts (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the table gives insights about the New York City population change along with its four districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) stating that population increase in these areas from the period of 1800 to 2000. However, in Manhattan district most people tend to reside in 1800 but they tend to show decline in residency in this district and reach at lowest population level in 2000.

In 1800, 79,216 people were living in New York City along with its 76% population located in Manhattan district and 24% of population in other four districts. However, after a certain time period, people started migrating towards other four districts of New York City. In 1900, 54% population was located in Manhattan district while, 46% lived in and Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island.

In 2000, New York City population showed a rapid increase of 8,009,185 with its majority of population residing in districts Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island. In contrast, the Manhattan district showed a rapid decline in its population with only 19% individuals reside there.

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 four districts’ share rose. The figures you give for the percentages in 1800, 1900 and 2000 match the tables, and the total for 2000 is accurate. This covers the key comparison and shows some selection of relevant data. However, the overview says the other districts’ population increased but does not clearly report the important change in Manhattan’s actual population: it rose to 1,850,093 in 1900 before falling to 1,538,096 in 2000. Also, “reach at lowest population level” is misleading, since Manhattan’s 2000 population remained far above its 1800 figure. Include the total figures for 1900 and 2000 to develop the comparison more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs presenting figures for the three years. The chronological order helps the reader follow the data, and linking expressions such as “Overall,” “However” and “In contrast” signal relationships between points. Some connections are nevertheless mechanical or unclear. For example, “However” does not express a clear contrast in the sentence about the 1800 figures, and “after a certain time period” is vague rather than guiding the reader to the 1900 comparison. The overview also repeats the idea of population growth without clearly distinguishing total population from district shares. Use more precise references and organise the body around the overall total and the changing distribution between Manhattan and the other districts.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some suitable task vocabulary, including “substantial changes,” “population,” “residing” and “decline,” and the meaning is generally understandable. However, several choices are imprecise or unnatural for describing table data. “Population change” would be clearer as “population changes,” while “people started migrating” introduces an explanation that the tables do not establish. Phrases such as “reach at lowest population level” and “rapid decline in its population” also overstate or misrepresent the figures: Manhattan’s population fell from 1900 to 2000, but its share of the city’s population declined more sharply. Aim for precise terms such as “accounted for,” “population share” and “fell to,” and avoid repeating “population” where a more exact phrase is available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “while” and “however,” and the main message can usually be followed. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly in sentence construction and verb forms. For example, “population increase in these areas” needs a finite verb (“increased”), and “only 19% individuals reside there” needs “of” and a tense consistent with the past data (“only 19% of the population resided there”). The phrase “while, 46% lived in and Brooklyn” also has faulty punctuation and sentence structure. There are some long sentences whose clauses are not joined cleanly. Check agreement, articles and prepositions, and use past-tense verbs consistently when reporting historical figures.

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