Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-11

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 below illustrate the total popultion of New York city and change in the proportion of its five districts from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the proportion of total population of New york city increased significantly during the period.Whereas percentage of population in Manhattan city by far decresed as compared to other four cities which increased during the period.

According to table number 1, the total population of New York city was 79,216 in 1800. However in next century the population of the city rose dramatically and was around 3,437,202 before reaching to the peak, at 8,009,185 in 21th century.

According to 2nd and 3rd table, in 19th century Manhattan district population constitute 76% of total city population as compared to other city they constitute remaining 24%. The portion of Manhattan district decreased to 54% in 20th century as compare to other four districts of city, there share increased to 46%. At the end, the larger proportion of total population was from other four districts which was 81% as compared to Manhattan district portion, which was only 19%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall contrast: New York’s total population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. The figures you give for the total population and the district percentages match the tables, and the final comparison of 81% versus 19% is relevant. This covers the task well, with some evidence of the fuller overview expected at a stronger level. However, the overview says the city’s “proportion” increased, which confuses total population with population share, and the response does not report Manhattan’s actual population figures. Also, “in 19th century” and “in 20th century” mislabel the table years: the data are for 1800, 1900 and 2000. Clarify these points and distinguish counts from percentages.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs presenting the data. The sequence from the city total to the district shares is generally logical, and phrases such as “Overall” and “According to” help signal the stages of the report. However, the repeated “According to” openings make the linking somewhat mechanical, and the overview’s contrast beginning “Whereas” is not smoothly connected to the preceding sentence. Some references are also imprecise: “other city” and “their share” require the reader to infer that you mean the four other districts. Group the comparisons more clearly and use varied, accurate links and references to make progression easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “total population,” “proportion,” “decreased,” “increased,” and “dramatically,” so the main comparisons are understandable. There is also some attempt to vary expression through “rose dramatically” and “reaching to the peak.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “proportion of total population … increased” when you mean the total population, “Manhattan city,” and “reaching to the peak.” Spelling errors such as “popultion,” “decresed,” and “compare” also reduce control. Aim for precise terms such as “population figure,” “share,” and “district,” and check spelling and collocations carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast with “Whereas” and a time clause in “before reaching to the peak.” The reader can generally follow the comparisons, but some grammatical errors remain across the response. For example, “Manhattan district population constitute 76%” has a subject–verb agreement problem, while “their share increased” does not agree with the singular “portion” used immediately before it. Articles and sentence boundaries also need attention, as in “in next century” and “period.Whereas.” The time expressions are not consistently framed as completed past data. Use past-tense reporting consistently, check agreement and articles, and punctuate sentence boundaries clearly.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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