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 data of changing population between 1800 and 2000. The other two tables provide the changes of five different districts of New York city throughout the same time.

Overall, the population of New York city had increased over the period. Manhattan recorded the higher number of population at the beginning, whereas at the end of the period other districts experienced the highest percentage of total population.

To begin with, in year 1800 all the five districts had 79,216 number of population in total where Manhattan covered 76% (60,515) of total and other districts had the number only 18,701 (24%). After a decade, the population of this city increased dramatically to 3,437,202. But percentage of total population had decreased for Manhattan (54%) and rose for others (46%).

Regarding the rest information, by 2000, the total population of New York changed to 8,009,185. This time again Manhattan population percentage sharply dropped to 19% (1,538,096) and the other four districts- Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island saw a growth in population to 81% (6,471,089).

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall change: New York’s population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share increased. The figures you report for 1800 and 2000 are accurate, and you also include the 1900 total and percentages. However, the overview is not fully precise: Manhattan had the largest population in 1800 and 1900, but by 2000 the other districts together had the larger population, not merely the higher percentage. The phrase “After a decade” is also inaccurate because the next data point is 1900, a century later. To develop the report further, compare the absolute population changes across the three dates and make the shift in where most residents lived explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear four-paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to the figures for 1800–1900 and then 2000. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with” and “Regarding the rest information” help signal progression, and the reader can follow the main comparisons. However, some linking is mechanical or imprecise: “After a decade” misrepresents the interval, while “This time again” does not clearly explain the contrast with 1900. The final paragraph also combines several facts in one long sentence. Use more direct transitions tied to the dates, and organise each comparison around a clear point, such as the changing population share and the change in absolute numbers.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing tables and trends, including “increased dramatically,” “percentage,” “sharply dropped,” and “growth in population.” This gives you enough range to communicate the main information, although several phrases are unnatural or imprecise. For example, “the data of changing population” and “provide the changes” are awkward ways to introduce the tables; “had the number only” is also unclear. “The higher number of population” would be more naturally expressed as “the largest population.” Aim for accurate collocations and avoid repeating “population” where a more precise term such as “share” or “figure” would work. These improvements would make the report sound more fluent and precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex forms, including the contrast clause “whereas at the end of the period…” and the time phrase “by 2000.” Most of the meaning remains clear, but some grammatical errors recur. Examples include “New York city” without consistent capitalisation, “in year 1800” instead of “in 1800,” and “79,216 number of population,” which has an incorrect noun structure. In “Manhattan recorded the higher number,” the comparative form is not appropriate when identifying the largest figure. The sentence beginning “This time again Manhattan population percentage…” also needs clearer article use and punctuation. Practise concise noun phrases and check articles, comparatives, and sentence punctuation while retaining your attempts at complex structures.

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