Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

This table illustrates the changes in the total population of New York City between 1800 and 2000, as well as, population figures and proportions for Manhattan and other four districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) combined.

Overall, New York City experienced substantial population growth over the period of two centuries. While initially, Manhattan had most of the share in New York's population, it's share significantly over timere. By 2000, the other four districts had become home to the overwhelming majority of the population.

In 1800, New York City had a total population of just 79,216 of whom 60,515 lived in Manhattan. This represented to 76% of the city's inhabitants, whereas the remaining four districts collectively contained only 18,701 people, or 24% of the total.

Over the next century, the total population increased to 3,437,202 of which 1,850,093 people resided in Manhattan making up 54% of its share in New York's population. However, 1,587,109 people lived in other four districts occupying the 46% of share.

Over the last century, there was a rapid increase in the total population which reached to 8,009,185. But only 19% people which constitutes 1,538,096 out of the total population lived in Manhattan. The share of other four districts also has an overwhelming increase in 2000 reaching 81%, as 6,471,089 people resided in other four districts in this century.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You cover the main features accurately: the city’s total population rose markedly, Manhattan’s share fell from 76% to 19%, and the other four districts’ share increased to 81%. The overview clearly identifies the shift from Manhattan’s initial dominance to the other districts becoming the majority. You also support these points with relevant figures for all three years, and the reported values match the tables. To make the account more fully selective, avoid repeating every population and percentage in the body; instead, highlight the key contrast that Manhattan’s population itself peaked in 1900 and then declined by 2000, even as the city continued to grow. This would sharpen the comparison and reduce detail that is already clear from the figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised effectively into an introduction, an overview and chronological paragraphs for 1800, 1900 and 2000. This gives the reader a clear progression, and linking expressions such as “Over the next century” and “Over the last century” help signal the time sequence. Contrast is also conveyed with “whereas” and “However.” Some connections are less smooth or precise: “But only 19% people” does not clearly link the percentage to Manhattan, and “The share of other four districts also has an overwhelming increase” is awkwardly connected to the preceding sentence. Use clearer references and transitions, for example, “By contrast, the other districts accounted for 81%.” This would make cohesion more flexible and less dependent on repeated time markers.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range for describing population data, including “substantial population growth,” “collectively,” “resided,” “inhabitants” and “overwhelming majority.” These choices help communicate the main comparisons, and the meaning remains clear. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “timere,” “represented to 76%,” “making up 54% of its share,” and “reaching to 8,009,185.” The phrase “share” is also repeated where “proportion” or “percentage” would be more natural. Aim for precise reporting language and check spelling and collocations carefully. For example, say that a figure “accounted for 54% of the total” and that the population “reached 8,009,185.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of sentence forms, including subordinate clauses and contrasts, as in “While initially, Manhattan had most of the share…” and “whereas the remaining four districts…” The chronological paragraphs are generally understandable, and several sentences communicate the data clearly. However, some grammatical errors recur and occasionally make relationships between figures unclear. Examples include “as well as, population figures,” the missing possessive in “it's share,” “This represented to 76%,” and “only 19% people which constitutes…” There are also tense and agreement problems in “The share … also has an overwhelming increase.” Review articles, possessives, verb agreement and sentence punctuation; for instance, write “This represented 76% of the city’s population” and “Only 19% of residents lived in Manhattan.”

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