Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-16

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 first table illustrates the population of NewYork City between 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables show changes in the population of the five districts of the city (Manhattan,Brooklyn,Bronx,Queens and Staten Island over the same period. Overall, there is an increase in the population of New york City. Although Manhattan contained the vast majority of residents in 1800, it's share fell sharply , and by 2000 most of the people were living in other four districts.

To begin with, in 1800 NewYork City had a population of 79,216 only. However, it significantly climbed to 3,437,202 by 1900 and further rose to 8,009,185 by 2000. Manhattan accounted for the vast majority of this early population, with 60,515 people residing in Manhattan in 1800, thus representing 76% of New York City's population. However, in 1900 when New York's population rose to 3,437,202 the number of people living in Manhattan increased to 1,850,093, whereas its share fell to 54%. In contrast, the population in other districts grew to 1,587,109 and their share rose to 46%.

Furthermore, in 2000 when New York City's population stood at 8,009,185, the population of residents residing in other districts dramatically rose to 6,471,089

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall pattern: New York City’s population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s share declined and the other districts became dominant by 2000. The figures you give for the city total and for Manhattan and the other districts in 1800 and 1900 are accurate. However, the final paragraph stops after reporting the 2000 population of the other districts; it omits Manhattan’s 2000 figure of 1,538,096 and its 19% share, as well as the other districts’ 81% share. This leaves the final comparison less fully reported than the earlier years. Develop the 2000 comparison and make the shift in population distribution explicit to cover the data more evenly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by chronological details, and phrases such as “To begin with” and “Furthermore” help signal progression. The contrast between Manhattan and the other districts in 1900 is also easy to follow. However, the final paragraph ends abruptly after the figure for the other districts, so the account feels incomplete and the comparison is not brought to a conclusion. Some linking is also repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “However” to introduce changes. Use a more balanced final paragraph and vary transitions so that comparisons, rather than just time stages, guide the reader through the data.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “accounted for,” “share,” “represented,” and “dramatically rose,” which helps describe population and proportions. Some choices are less natural or precise: “population of residents residing” is repetitive, while “the other four districts” would be clearer as “the other districts.” The phrase “population ... climbed” is understandable but less conventional than describing the total as having “increased.” There are also inconsistent spellings and spacing in “NewYork” and “New york”; use the standard form “New York.” Aim for concise, accurate collocations and consistent spelling to make the report more fluent and precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including the contrast in “Although Manhattan contained the vast majority ... its share fell sharply” and the clause beginning “when New York’s population rose.” Meaning is generally clear, but some grammatical and punctuation errors remain. The opening says “between 1800 to 2000”; the correct pattern is “between 1800 and 2000.” In “However, it significantly climbed,” the subject “it” is unclear, and “it significantly climbed” is not a well-formed way to refer to the population. There are also missing spaces after commas and an unmatched parenthesis in the district list. Check preposition patterns, clear pronoun reference, and punctuation while retaining your varied sentence structures.

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.