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 three table illustrates the changes in the total population of New York City and the other five districts of the city from the year 1800 to 2000.

Overall, New York city had experienced increasing rate of population over the period. Manhattan showed a declining portion in percentage in terms of total population of the five districts, whereas the other districts showed significant rise in portion. At the end of the period, Manhattan which has the highes portion in the beginning of the period became the lowest portion of population among the other districts at the end of the period.

In 1800, 79,216 people were living in New York wherein 60, 515 people were residing at Manhattan which comprised 76% of total population. New york continued to increase its population from 3,437, 202 in 1900 and to more than 8 million in 2000. Although the number of people in Manhattan increased over the years, its percentage of total population with the five districts had declined by more than 50% which made it as the lowest portion. On the other hand, other distrcits continued to rise in population and dominated over 81% of total population in New York.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall pattern: the city’s population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. The overview also captures the reversal in which Manhattan went from the largest share to a much smaller one. Several key figures are reported accurately, including the 1800 total and Manhattan’s population and share. This meets the task well, with some features more fully covered than others: the 1900 and 2000 city totals are included, but the district comparison is not supported with the 2000 population figures, and the statement that Manhattan’s number increased is inaccurate because it fell from 1,850,093 in 1900 to 1,538,096 in 2000. Adding that contrast would make the account more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph with supporting figures. The progression from the city-wide trend to the contrast between Manhattan and the other districts is generally easy to follow. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Although,” and “On the other hand” help signal relationships between ideas. However, some connections are imprecise or repetitive, and the final paragraph combines several comparisons without clearly separating the 1900 and 2000 changes. For example, “its percentage … had declined by more than 50%” is not clearly anchored to a particular year. Organising the details chronologically or grouping Manhattan against the other districts would make the progression more controlled and references clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “population,” “percentage,” “comprised,” “declining,” and “rise,” so the main trends are understandable. There is also some attempt to vary phrasing rather than repeat “increase.” However, several word choices and collocations are awkward, such as “increasing rate of population,” “declining portion in percentage,” and “lowest portion of population.” These make the description less precise, and “highes” and “distrcits” are spelling errors. Use standard chart language such as “population increased,” “share of the total population,” and “the smallest proportion.” More accurate collocations and careful proofreading would make your vocabulary more natural and effective.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including a complex contrast with “Although” and a relative clause beginning “which,” and the main message remains understandable. However, some grammatical errors recur. The opening “The three table illustrates” has a number-agreement error, while “New York city had experienced” uses an unnecessary past perfect for this description. In “Manhattan which has the highes portion … became,” the tense shifts and the clause is not punctuated clearly. There are also inconsistent article and preposition patterns, as in “at Manhattan” and “with the five districts.” Aim for consistent past-tense reporting, accurate singular/plural agreement, and clearer clause punctuation. These corrections would improve control while preserving your attempts at complex sentences.

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