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 tables below compares the number of New York residents in Manhattan and other four districts which are between 1800 and 2000.

Overall, Manhattan experienced the most pronounced growth and became the most populated district at the beginning of the period later facing a gradual decline having the least number of people by the end of the period .In contrast, The other five districts combines where initially low at the beginning of the period and then rose substantially recording the highest number of residents.

Manhattan emerged as a leading district with 60,515 in 1800 thereby occupying 76% of the total New York's population following a marginal decrease in 1900 with a total of 1,850,093 people still occupying a larger share of 54% in the city despite its decline.In contast, The other four district, had approximately 18,701 in 1800 occupying only 24%of the total NewYork city's population. Although the total number of citizens inceased steadily to 46% by year 1900 with a total of 1,587,107, it ramained lower than Manhattan.

The population in Manhattan city decreased considerably between 1900 and 2000 recording the lowest in the city contributing only 19% of the total wereas other districts' population rose sharply to 6,471,089 during the same period covering 81% of the total city population

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main contrast: Manhattan dominated the population in 1800 and 1900, while the combined population of the other districts became much larger by 2000. The overview also notes Manhattan’s falling share and the other districts’ rising share, which captures the key pattern. Several figures are accurately reported, including Manhattan’s 60,515 and 76% in 1800 and the other districts’ 6,471,089 and 81% in 2000. However, the description of Manhattan’s early change as a “marginal decrease” is misleading: its population rose dramatically from 60,515 to 1,850,093, even as its percentage share fell. The 1900 figure for the other districts is also slightly inaccurate. Clarifying absolute population changes separately from percentage shares would make the account more precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an overview followed by paragraphs comparing the districts, and the broad progression from 1800 to 2000 is understandable. Contrast markers such as “In contrast” help signal the comparison. However, some links are awkward or unclear: “Overall” is followed by a sentence that combines Manhattan’s growth, decline, and changing rank in a confusing way, while “thereby” and “despite its decline” do not clearly distinguish population totals from percentage share. The final paragraph is a long sentence without a clear full stop, which makes the comparison harder to follow. Use shorter, clearly separated sentences and organise each period’s figures consistently to improve progression and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “pronounced growth,” “decline,” “occupying,” “rose substantially,” and “recording the highest number.” These choices show an attempt to describe trends rather than simply list figures. However, some expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “the other five districts combines,” “Manhattan city,” and “covering 81% of the total city population.” There are also spelling errors, including “contast,” “inceased,” “ramained,” and “wereas,” which reduce the accuracy of the vocabulary. Prefer precise terms such as “the other four districts combined” and “accounting for 81%,” and check spelling carefully. The range is adequate, but control of collocation and word forms is uneven.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex structures, including a relative clause in the opening and clauses beginning “Although” and “despite.” The main comparisons are generally understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “The tables below compares” has subject–verb disagreement, and “The other four district, had” has an incorrect plural and unnecessary comma. The overview sentence beginning “Overall” is also structurally difficult to follow, with several ideas joined without clear punctuation. In the final paragraph, “recording the lowest in the city contributing only 19%” lacks a clear grammatical connection between the population and its share. Use complete, shorter sentences, check agreement and plurals, and punctuate subordinate clauses carefully.

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