Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The tables illustrate the total population and the changes in distribution of population among the five districts of New York City between 1800 and 2000. The data is presented separately for Manhattan and combined for other 4 districts which includes Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.

Over this period, there was significant increase in total population of New York City. In 1800, most of the people live in Manhattan (around 76%), but later that percent decreased over time and the people shifted to other 4 districts.

For the New York City, population increased from 79K (in 1800) to 3437K in 1900, and ended with a total of around 8000K people living in 2000.

Manhattan holds the maximum portion of population in 1800 (60K) which accounted to 76% of New York Population while other 4 districts accounts for holding the other 23% population (18 K people). Following this in 1900, the population in both Manhattan and other 4 districts increased but the share of Manhattan decreased significantly from 76% to 54% and now holding a total population of 1850K while the latter holds total 1587K people. Finally in 2000, a decrease in the total population of Manhattan was observed (1850K to 1538K), and a significant drop of 33% in the share was seen. Meanwhile, for the other 4 districts the percentage increased from 46% to 81% and the net population rose to 6471K.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall pattern: New York City’s population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. The response also includes relevant figures from all three years, such as Manhattan’s 76% share in 1800 and the other districts’ 81% share in 2000. This gives the report a clear overview and covers the key comparisons. Some details, however, are imprecise or not fully explained: the other districts’ 1800 share is 24%, not 23%, and the stated 33% drop in Manhattan’s share is unclear because the figures show a fall from 54% to 19% between 1900 and 2000. Clarify that comparison and distinguish percentage-point changes from percentage changes to make the data reporting more precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The report has a coherent overall structure: an introduction, a broad overview, and a chronological account of the figures. The progression from 1800 to 1900 and then 2000 is easy to follow, and transitions such as “Following this” and “Finally” help signal the sequence. However, the overview and the later detail partly repeat the same point about Manhattan’s declining share, while the final paragraph packs several comparisons into long sentences. Some references, including “the latter,” require the reader to infer which group is meant. To strengthen progression, keep the overview concise, group the figures by district or period more deliberately, and use explicit labels such as “Manhattan” and “the other four districts” instead of less clear references.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of vocabulary for describing population data, including “distribution,” “accounted,” “decreased,” “share,” and “rose.” These choices generally communicate the trends clearly, and the response avoids excessive repetition of basic terms. Some collocations and expressions are less natural or precise, however: “significant increase” would be better as “a significant increase,” “holds the maximum portion” is awkward, and “the net population rose” does not clearly describe the change. “People shifted to other districts” also suggests migration, which the tables do not establish; describe the changing population shares instead. More precise data-reporting language and more natural collocations would improve the range and control of your vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “while” and “but,” and most of the meaning remains clear. Some grammatical errors persist, particularly with subject–verb agreement and articles. For example, “most of the people live in Manhattan” should use the past tense, “most of the people lived,” and “other 4 districts … includes” should be “the other four districts … include.” In “Manhattan holds the maximum portion … which accounted,” the tense shifts inconsistently; keep the description in the past tense. There are also missing articles in phrases such as “there was significant increase.” Review agreement, tense consistency, and article use while retaining your attempts at longer comparative sentences.

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