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 provided first table illustrates change in total number of population of New York city, while on the second table presents differences in the population of five districts city such as Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island between 1800 and 2000.

Overall, it is clear that New York city's total population was increasing significantly throughout the period. Manhattan total number fell dramatically whereas, other districts population and percentage was increasing gradually.

New York city had only 79,216 total citizen in 1800 but after 100 years later the total value reached to near five times more at 3,437,202. The highest number increased at the year of 2000 by accuring the figure of 8,009,185.

In rest of all districts, Manhattan had the largest percentage in 1800 of 76% while it was declining gradually the percantage reached at 19% only at the end. On the other hand the other four dristricts percantages were rising sharply started with 24% only had 18,701 population and had an ending with the largest share of 81% the total figure was 6,471,089 at the year of 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall contrast: New York City’s population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. The figures you include are accurate, and the overview gives the reader a clear sense of the broad changes. This covers the task well, but some comparisons are not fully developed. For example, you say the city’s population became “near five times more” by 1900, although it had risen from 79,216 to 3,437,202—over forty times its 1800 level. Also, the tables show Manhattan’s population itself rose to 1,850,093 in 1900 before falling to 1,538,096 in 2000; describing it simply as falling dramatically misses this intermediate change. Clarifying these points and distinguishing population totals from percentage shares would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs presenting figures and comparisons. The progression from the citywide total to the district shares is generally logical, and linking phrases such as “Overall” and “On the other hand” help signal the main contrast. However, some connections are awkward or unclear. “In rest of all districts” does not clearly introduce the comparison, and the final sentence combines several figures and trends in a way that makes their relationships difficult to follow. The overview also says Manhattan’s total fell, while the later paragraph focuses mainly on its percentage share. Use clearer topic sentences and separate the 1900 and 2000 comparisons so each paragraph develops one point cleanly.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “total population,” “percentage,” “declining,” and “rising sharply.” This gives you enough language to communicate the main trends, but the range and control are limited, with repeated or imprecise expressions. Phrases such as “total number of population,” “total value,” and “largest percentage” are not natural or precise in this context; “population,” “figure,” and “share” would be more suitable. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “percantage,” “dristricts,” and “accuring,” which reduce accuracy. Aim to use a small set of precise data-reporting terms consistently, and check spelling and collocations carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, and the overall meaning is usually understandable. However, grammatical control is uneven, particularly in longer sentences. For example, “while on the second table presents” has an incorrect clause structure, and “Manhattan total number fell dramatically whereas, other districts population…” lacks possessive forms and has faulty punctuation. The phrase “after 100 years later” also combines two time expressions unnecessarily, while “started with 24% only had 18,701 population” does not form a clear grammatical clause. These errors sometimes make relationships between ideas harder to follow. Practise building accurate comparisons with complete clauses, correct articles and possessives, and consistent past-tense forms.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.