Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-18

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 change in total population in new york city from 1800 to 2000 while, the second and third table illustrates the change in population of five districts of the city from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the population of new york city of all five districts increase significantly. However, Manhattan showed highest percentage of total population amoung all five districts in 1800 and then population significatly drop in 2000, when other four districts becam dominent.

In 1800, New york had a population of only 79,216 while, in 1900 population dramatically rose to 3,437,202 and then in 2000,population of newyork surged uop to 8,009,185.

In 1800, manhattan stood at 76% of total population which was highest amoung all while the other four districts accounted for only 24% of total population. In 1900, population of manhattan reduced significantly to 54% however, the population in other four districts surged up to 46%.

In 2000, population of manhattan made up only 19%. At that time the poluation of other four districts(Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) dramatically rose to 81%

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main changes and provide a clear overview: the city’s total population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ combined share grew. The figures for the city total and the percentages in 1800, 1900 and 2000 are accurately reported. This gives the response a solid account of the key pattern. However, the overview says Manhattan’s “population” dropped in 2000, which is imprecise: its absolute population fell from 1,850,093 in 1900 to 1,538,096 in 2000, but the response mainly reports its percentage share. Including those figures would clarify the distinction. The account is relevant and covers the task, though some comparisons and details are less fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs covering the city total and district shares. The chronological sequence makes the figures easy to follow, and contrasts such as “while” help connect the two groups. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical or unclear. For example, “In 1900” begins consecutive comparisons without much variation, and “At that time” refers back to 2000 but could be more explicit. Some punctuation around linking words also disrupts the flow, as in “In 1800, New york had a population of only 79,216 while, in 1900…”. Grouping the district comparisons more smoothly and using clearer references would strengthen progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary for describing change, including “dramatically rose,” “surged,” “accounted for,” and “made up.” These choices communicate the main trends, and the response generally uses appropriate terms such as “population” and “percentage.” However, several word-choice and collocation problems reduce precision: “population … drop” is less suitable for describing a share, “becam dominent” is not a natural way to describe the changing distribution, and “surged up” is awkward. Spelling errors such as “amoung,” “significatly,” “poluation,” and “uop” are also noticeable. Aim for accurate, natural reporting verbs and check spelling carefully; this would make the vocabulary more controlled and precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple sentences and some complex structures, including “while” and “when” clauses, and the main meaning remains clear. However, there are some recurring errors in sentence construction, agreement and punctuation. For example, “the second and third table illustrates” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “the population … increase significantly” should use a past-tense verb. The opening sentence also has an unnecessary comma after “while,” and several sentences join clauses with “however” without appropriate punctuation. Articles and phrasing are sometimes awkward, as in “showed highest percentage.” More consistent past-tense control and careful punctuation around linking words would improve accuracy while preserving the range of structures you attempt.

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