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 table illustrates the change in population over the years 1800,1900 and 2000 in New York City. There is a stark surge in the population over the century from [redacted phone]. The overall population size almost increased 3 times every century. In the first table, the statistic represents that the poplution in New York City in 1800, 76% of the population was centered in Manhattan, 54% in the next century and 19% in 2000. This demonstrates that the population plummeted over the century, people moved away from Manhattan. The second table reveals that the population the rest of the states Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island, increased over the century. In 1800, the population in the mentioned states, was 24% of the total population in New York City, however, there has been an uprise of the percentage of poulation in 1900 to 46%. Finally in 2000, the population surged to 81%. The overall population has increased in double and this suggests that people moved from Manhattan to the rest of the states over the centuries.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

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 percentages you report—76%, 54% and 19% for Manhattan, and 24%, 46% and 81% for the other districts—match the tables. However, the overview is weakened by saying the total population “almost increased 3 times every century,” which is unclear and does not accurately describe the figures: the city grew from 79,216 to 8,009,185 overall. The claim that people moved from Manhattan to the other districts is also not established by the tables; they show changing population shares, not migration. Include the key total-population figures and distinguish absolute population changes from percentage shares to make the summary more precise and complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response follows a generally understandable sequence, moving from the citywide trend to Manhattan and then the other districts. Connectors such as “however” and “Finally” help signal contrast and time. However, the information is presented as one continuous paragraph, and the opening overview is not clearly separated from the details. Some links are also awkward or repetitive: “This demonstrates” and “this suggests” introduce interpretations that are not securely supported by the tables, while “The overall population has increased in double” does not clearly connect to the preceding figures. Use a brief overview followed by organised detail, and make each transition show a precise relationship between the data rather than repeating a general claim.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of vocabulary for describing change, including “stark surge,” “plummeted,” “increased” and “percentage,” and the main meaning is generally clear. There are, however, several inaccurate or unnatural choices. “The statistic represents that” is an awkward way to introduce data, and “the rest of the states” is inaccurate because these are districts. “Increased in double” and “uprise of the percentage” are also not natural collocations. Spelling errors such as “poplution” and “poulation” reduce accuracy. Choose standard data-reporting language and check spelling; for example, describe a share as “declined” or “rose,” and refer to the “other four districts.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex forms, including a contrast with “however” and a clause beginning “This demonstrates that…”. The overall message remains understandable, but some sentence structures are incomplete or awkward. For example, “In the first table, the statistic represents that the poplution in New York City in 1800, 76%…” lacks a clear grammatical connection between the subject and the percentage. The sentence beginning “The second table reveals that the population the rest of the states…” is also missing a preposition or clearer construction. Punctuation is inconsistent, including missing spaces after commas and unnecessary commas within phrases. Build complete sentences around each comparison and check clause structure and punctuation.

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