Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-17

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 given tables depict the changes of total population in New York city and its five districts for a period of 200 years. In two centuries, population change has been illustrated as percentage for five districts which are Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten island.

It is noticeable from the first table that from the year 1800 to 2000 the population has increased more than hundred times since 1800 in New York City. From rest of the tables, it is evident that Manhattan used to be most populated district in past which became least populated district in 2000. In contrast, total population in other four districts rose significantly in those 200 years.

In first table, total population in New York City was only 79216 which became [redacted phone] in 2000, which is more than 100 times. In the past, Manhattan had the highest population accounting for 76% of total population of New york city, whereas only 24% of population used to live in other four districts which is 18701 in number. But the scenario became totally opposite in the year 2000 as population grown to 81% in all districts except Manhattan. Manhattan district had seen very low increase in inhabitants from 1900 to 2000, making it 19% of overall New york city population while it was 54% in 1900.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall changes: New York City’s population grew dramatically, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ combined share rose. The figures you give for 1800 and 2000, including the 76% and 24% shares, are consistent with the tables. However, the account is less complete for the middle year: you mention Manhattan’s 54% share but do not report its population peak of 1,850,093 in 1900 or clearly explain that its population then declined by 2000. Also, “other four districts” is inaccurate because the table groups Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island together, but the task refers to five districts overall. Develop the comparison across all three years more fully and distinguish population totals from percentages.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph with supporting figures. The contrast between Manhattan and the other districts is also signposted with “whereas” and “In contrast,” helping the reader follow the main comparison. However, progression is weakened by repeated references to the “first table” and “rest of the tables,” and the final paragraph moves between 1800, 2000 and 1900 without a consistently chronological sequence. Some references are unclear, particularly “population grown to 81% in all districts except Manhattan,” which could mean either population or population share. Organise the details by year or by Manhattan versus the combined other districts, and use clearer references to the figures.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “accounting for,” “overall population,” “inhabitants” and “in contrast.” These choices help communicate the broad trends, and the meaning is generally clear. Some expressions are imprecise or unnatural, however: “changes … illustrated as percentage” does not accurately describe the tables, which show population figures as well as shares; “very low increase” is also misleading because Manhattan’s population actually decreased between 1900 and 2000. Capitalisation and spelling are inconsistent in “New york” and “Staten island.” Choose precise terms such as “population share,” “declined” and “combined population,” and check proper nouns and collocations before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including a contrast clause with “whereas” and a relative clause in “which became least populated.” Most of the message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “from the year 1800 to 2000 the population has increased” uses an unsuitable tense for a completed historical period; “population grown to 81%” is missing an auxiliary; and “Manhattan district had seen” needs an article or a different construction. There are also awkward sentence patterns, such as “which is 18701 in number.” Use past simple consistently for the historical data, check articles and auxiliary verbs, and punctuate introductory phrases with commas.

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