Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The first table illustrates the total demographics of New York City in 1800, 1900 and 2000. The second and third tables show the dynamics in the number of people in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island over the same period.

Overall, population in the city grew dramatically over the period. Manhattan had the biggest share of the total population but this experienced a drop through out the period. Other districts started at a lower proportion but had an increase over the years.

In 1800, New York City's population stood at 79,216 this experienced a sharp rise to [redacted phone] in 1900 before a further increase to [redacted phone] in 2000.

Manhattan had a share of 76% of the total population while other districts had a 24% share in 1800. This was followed by a drop in 1900 to 54%, before ending at only 19% of the total population in 2000.

Other districts saw an increase in their share rising from 24% in 1800 and ending at 81% in 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall trends accurately: the city’s population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ combined share increased. The figures you give for the city total and Manhattan’s percentages match the tables. However, the account is unevenly developed: the other districts’ share is reported at the start and end, but the important 1900 figure of 46% is omitted. You also do not report the districts’ combined population figures, including their growth to 6,471,089 by 2000, or Manhattan’s population decline after 1900. The overview is relevant, but “Manhattan had the biggest share” is only true initially, not throughout. Including these comparisons would make the summary more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response has a clear four-part structure: introduction, overview, and two detail paragraphs. The progression from the city total to the district shares is easy to follow, and linking phrases such as “Overall,” “In 1800,” and “This was followed by” help guide the reader. The final paragraph, however, repeats the increase in the other districts’ share without giving the 1900 value, so the development feels incomplete. The sentence beginning “Manhattan had a share…” also moves from Manhattan to the other districts and back to Manhattan, which makes the comparison less smooth. Grouping the figures by year or presenting both groups’ shares together would create a more balanced progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a suitable range of vocabulary for describing data, including “grew dramatically,” “sharp rise,” “share,” and “proportion.” These choices make the main trends clear, and the response remains understandable throughout. Some expressions are less precise or natural for this task: “total demographics” does not mean the total population, while “dynamics in the number of people” is an awkward way to introduce population changes. “This experienced a drop” also has an unclear reference, since the reader must infer that you mean Manhattan’s share. Aim for standard data-reporting collocations and use terms such as “population,” “accounted for,” and “declined” consistently. This would improve precision and control without requiring more elaborate vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and more developed sentence forms, including the contrast in “Manhattan had the biggest share … but this experienced a drop” and the time sequence in “before a further increase.” Most meanings are clear, and the data are generally presented in readable sentences. Some punctuation and sentence-boundary errors remain: “79,216 this experienced a sharp rise” needs a full stop, semicolon, or conjunction between the clauses. The phrase “Manhattan had a share of 76% … while other districts had a 24% share” would be more grammatically controlled with parallel phrasing, such as “Manhattan accounted for 76%, while the other districts accounted for 24%.” Check punctuation and maintain parallel structures when comparing figures.

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