Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-15

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 provide the information regarding the changes in the population for all five districts of New York, also illustrate the proportion of the total population hold by every district in the year 1800, 1900 and 2000.

Overall, it is evident that the total population had grown significantly throughout the time where it was observerd that the Manhattan had the highest contribution in the total population in comparison with other districts, but has reduced thoughout the time.

First and Formost, the total population in New York city was 79,216 in the year 1800 where the 76% of population was contributed by Manhattan which was 60,515. After that, the remaining of the population was 18701 which was attributed by other districts like Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island. In the year 1900, the total population boost in such a way that it reaches at 3,437,202 where 54% was accounted in Manhattan which was 1,850,093 and the remaining 46% which was 1,587,109 by other districts.

Furthermore, the growth of the population was peaked at 8,009,185 in 2000. However, the Manhattan had contributed the least which was 19% and it was 1,538,096, whereas cities like Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island had maximum contribution in total population which was 81% and accounted for 6,471,089.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main changes and include accurate figures for all three years, including the sharp rise in the city’s population and Manhattan’s declining share. Your overview identifies the key shift in contribution, although it is slightly imprecise to say Manhattan had the highest contribution “throughout”: by 2000 the other districts together accounted for the clear majority. The response reports the 2000 figures and compares them with earlier years, so the main features are addressed. To make the summary more complete and precise, state explicitly that Manhattan’s population itself rose to a peak in 1900 before falling by 2000, while the combined population of the other districts continued to increase substantially.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs presenting the figures chronologically. Sequencing phrases such as “After that” and “Furthermore” help the reader follow the progression, and the comparisons between Manhattan and the other districts are generally easy to locate. However, some linking is mechanical or not quite suited to the relationship being expressed; “However” introduces a contrast that would be clearer if tied directly to Manhattan’s falling share. The overview’s reference to Manhattan having the highest contribution “in comparison with other districts” is also not clearly qualified for 2000. Use more precise referencing and organise the final paragraph around the contrast between Manhattan’s decline and the other districts’ growth.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for describing data, including “proportion,” “accounted for,” “contributed,” and “attributed.” These choices help communicate the comparisons, and the figures remain understandable despite some awkward phrasing. However, several collocations and word forms are inaccurate: “the proportion … hold by” should be “the proportion … held by,” “the total population boost” is unnatural, and “the growth … was peaked” is not an appropriate expression. There are also spelling and capitalisation slips, including “observerd,” “thoughout,” and “First and Formost.” Aim for standard data-reporting phrases such as “rose to,” “accounted for,” and “made up,” and check spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “where,” “which,” and “whereas,” and the main numerical information is usually understandable. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly with articles, verb forms, and sentence construction. For example, “the Manhattan had” uses an unnecessary article, while “the total population boost … reaches” shifts awkwardly between forms and tenses. In “the growth of the population was peaked,” the passive construction is faulty; use “population growth peaked” or “the population reached its peak.” The opening sentence also has an unclear structure because “also illustrate” lacks a clear subject. Work on maintaining consistent past-tense reporting and building complete, well-controlled clauses; this would make the complex sentences more reliable.

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