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 compares the changes in total population in years 1800 to 2000 in New York city and its five different districts over the same period time

Overall, the population in new york increase throughout the period. While Manhattan recorded highest population in 1800. However, its share decreased in 2000 as population in other districts increased.

In 1800, population accounted for 79216 in New York. While, Manhattan gained the maximum ratio of 76% population, at 60515. Other districts contained just 18701 people at 24% ratio. In 1900, a dramatic rise was shown in New York at, [redacted phone] individuals, Manhattan population also grew to [redacted phone] while, its ratio declined to 54%. Other districts population rose to [redacted phone] with a surge at 46% of total population.

In 2000, New York population sharply increased to [redacted phone]. Manhattan population reduced to [redacted phone] with a decrease in total population to 19%. A massive surge is seen in other districts at [redacted phone] with a total of 81% population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response covers the main changes across all three years and gives a clear overview: the city’s population rose, Manhattan was largest initially, and the other districts gained a much larger share by 2000. Most figures are accurately reported, including the total populations and the percentage shifts. However, one important figure is inaccurate: Manhattan’s 1900 population was 1,850,093, not 1,850,098. The overview could also be more precise by noting that Manhattan’s population itself rose from 1800 to 1900 before falling by 2000, while the other districts increased at every stage. This is a relevant summary, though some comparisons and trends are less fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and chronological paragraphs covering the data. This makes the information easy to follow. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “In 1800,” and “In 2000” help signal the progression. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical or awkward, particularly with repeated “while” and sentence openings such as “In 1900” and “In 2000.” The fragment-like construction “While, Manhattan gained…” interrupts the flow, and the relationship between the total population and district figures could be connected more smoothly. Use complete sentences and vary transitions to show contrast and change without relying on the same patterns.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

There is an adequate range of vocabulary for describing population data, including “dramatic rise,” “declined,” “reduced,” and “surge.” These choices communicate the main trends, although some are imprecise or repetitive: “surge” is used for different changes, and “maximum ratio” and “24% ratio” are unnatural ways to describe population shares. “Population accounted for 79216” also uses an unsuitable collocation. Capitalisation and number presentation need attention, as in “new york” and “79216”; write “New York” and use comma separators for large figures. More precise terms such as “share,” “proportion,” “increased,” and “fell” would make the description more natural and controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex forms, including contrast clauses with “while” and time phrases such as “In 1800.” Meaning is generally understandable, but some grammatical errors remain. The opening should be “The tables compare,” not “The tables compares,” and “over the same period” is needed instead of “over the same period time.” Several clauses are incorrectly joined or punctuated, as in “While, Manhattan gained…” and “New York at, 3437202 individuals.” The sentence “A massive surge is seen in other districts” also shifts awkwardly into the present tense while describing past data. Check subject–verb agreement, sentence boundaries, and consistent past-tense reporting; these corrections would improve accuracy while preserving the range of structures attempted.

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