Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 three tables demonstrate the changes in the total population of New york City as well as in the five districts of the city over the time period of 1800 to 2000.

Overall, it can be seen that total population increased considerably across all five districts over the three decades. Among all districts, Manhattan alone made a significant contribution from 1800 to 1900 while other districts including Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island accounted a larger percentage in 2000.

Looking at details,the total population of New York City in year 1800 was 79,216 where 60,515 people were from Manhattan contributed about 76% while, 18,701 people were from other districts conributed about 24%. Similarly, in 1900 the total population of NYC was 3,437,201 including 1,850,093 individuals about 54% from Manhattan and 1,587,109 about 46% from other districts. By contrast, in 2000 for the total population of 8,009,185 of NYC about 6,471,089 were from other districts like Brooklyn, Bronx, Queen and Staten island approx 81% of the total population and 1,538,096 individuals were from Manhattan approx 19% of the total population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main stages and make the key comparison between Manhattan and the combined other districts. The figures for 1800 and 2000 are accurate, and you show that Manhattan’s share fell from 76% to 19% while the other districts’ share rose to 81%. However, the overview says population increased “across all five districts,” which the tables do not establish individually; they group the four other districts together. Also, the total for 1900 is given as 3,437,201 rather than 3,437,202. The overview could more clearly state that the city’s total population rose sharply overall, while Manhattan’s population peaked in 1900 and then declined. This would make the main trends more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph presenting figures chronologically. This makes the information easy to follow, and transitions such as “Overall,” “Similarly,” and “By contrast” help signal relationships. However, the overview’s comparison is not fully clear: “Manhattan alone made a significant contribution” does not precisely explain the change, and the sentence about the other districts is awkwardly connected. The final paragraph also places many figures and comparisons in long sentences, with punctuation that occasionally interrupts the flow. Organise the details into shorter, more balanced comparisons—for example, one sentence for 1800 and 1900, then another for the 2000 reversal—and use referencing consistently to make the progression smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “total population,” “accounted,” “contribution,” and “percentage,” and the reader can understand the comparisons. There are also attempts at more formal reporting language. However, some choices are imprecise or unnatural: “made a significant contribution” does not clearly describe population share, and “accounted a larger percentage” needs a more suitable collocation. “Individuals” is less natural than “residents” in this context. Spelling and capitalisation slips, including “conributed,” “New york,” and “Staten island,” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise demographic terms and consistent place-name spelling; this will make the vocabulary more controlled without requiring unnecessarily complex wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including the opening sentence and clauses beginning with “where” and “while.” Most of the data remains understandable, but some grammatical errors and punctuation problems are evident. For example, “60,515 people were from Manhattan contributed” combines two verb structures; use “60,515 people were from Manhattan, accounting for about 76%.” The phrase “in year 1800” needs an article, and “for the total population of 8,009,185 of NYC” has an awkward grammatical construction. Commas are also misplaced in “while, 18,701” and missing after “details.” Practise building accurate comparison clauses and checking sentence boundaries, articles, and punctuation while retaining your attempts at complex sentences.

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