Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 chqanges in the overall population of newyork city between 1800 and 2000, as well as the population and pewrcentage share of manhattan and the other four districts over the same period

overall, new yprk city experienced remarkable population growth over the two centuries. Although manhatten remained heavily populated, its population of the city's total population declined considerabilly, indicating that population growth increasingly shifted towards other district.

In terms of city's total population the figure stood at 79,216 in 1800. Over the following centurys, this number surged to 3,437,202 representing substantial growth. Furthermore, the upward trend continued throught the twentieth century, with the population reachimg 8,009,158 by 2000. consiquently, the city's population was more then twice as large in 2000 as it has been in 1900.

tirning to manhatten, its population increased dramaticaly from 60,515 in 1800 to 1,850,903 in 1900. however, this figure fell to 1,538,096 by 2000. more significantly, manhatten share the over all population decline stedily, from 76% in 1800 to 54% in 1900, before dropping sharply to 19% in 2000. by contrast, the the other four district collectively accounted for and increasingly

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 became more important. You also select relevant figures for 1800, 1900 and 2000, and compare Manhattan with the combined other districts. However, the response ends mid-sentence after “accounted for and increasingly,” so the final comparison is not completed or supported with the other districts’ figures. There are also two numerical inaccuracies: the 2000 city total is given as 8,009,158 rather than 8,009,185, and Manhattan’s 1900 population is stated as 1,850,903 rather than 1,850,093. A complete account of the other districts’ rise to 6,471,089 (81%) would make the key contrast clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs moving from the city total to Manhattan and the other districts. Sequencing phrases such as “Over the following century,” “Turning to Manhattan,” and “By contrast” help guide the reader. However, the final paragraph breaks off before its comparison is developed, leaving the progression incomplete. Some linking is also mechanical or imprecise: “Furthermore” introduces a continuation, while “Consequently” does not clearly express a result beyond the preceding comparison. Improve cohesion by completing the final point and linking each paragraph around a clear comparison—for example, Manhattan’s declining share against the other districts’ increasing share.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-appropriate language, including “remarkable population growth,” “surged,” “upward trend,” and “declined considerably.” These choices communicate the main trends and show an attempt to vary vocabulary. However, spelling errors are frequent enough to distract, including “chqanges,” “pewrcentage,” “considerabilly,” and “dramaticaly.” Some expressions are also awkward or imprecise: “share the overall population decline” does not clearly describe a falling percentage, and “other district” needs a plural form when referring to several districts. Aim for accurate, natural collocations such as “accounted for a smaller proportion” and check spelling carefully; this would make your otherwise relevant vocabulary more precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including a concessive opening (“Although Manhattan remained heavily populated…”) and a time clause (“before dropping sharply to 19%”). Most of the intended meaning remains understandable. Some grammatical errors nevertheless affect accuracy: “In terms of city’s total population” is missing a determiner, “as it has been in 1900” uses an unsuitable tense for a past comparison, and “Manhattan share the overall population decline” has an unclear subject–verb structure. The final sentence is incomplete, which also prevents the comparison from being expressed grammatically. Review articles, past-tense consistency, and sentence completion, while retaining the complex structures you are attempting.

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