Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-22

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 given tables show us the changes in population of New York City and it's five districts over the period of 200 years. Overall we can see an increasing trend in all of the tables.

The population of New York was around 80 thousand in 1800, but in 2000 it was 8 millon, which is 100 times more than the 1800. We can also see this rising trend in 1900, where the population count jumps to 3.4 million from 80 thousand.

If we take a closer look at individual population of New York's districts then the Manhattan will top the list with 76% of New York's population, where other 4 districts combined had 24% in 1800. Manhattan's population was also rising but the overall percentage of New York's population it holds fell drastically. In 2000 Manhattan helds only 19% of New York's population where it was 54% even in 1900. The other four districts encountered a huge increase in population and now hold 81% of New York's population in 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall rise in New York City’s population and the major shift in its distribution: Manhattan’s share falls from 76% to 19%, while the other districts’ share grows to 81%. These are relevant, accurate features, and the comparison between 1800 and 2000 gives the response a clear focus. However, the overview is broad, and the claim that “all of the tables” show an increasing trend is not accurate for Manhattan’s population, which rises to 1,850,093 in 1900 before declining to 1,538,096 in 2000. The account also gives limited detail about the 1900-to-2000 change in the other districts. Develop the overview around both the city’s growth and Manhattan’s contrasting pattern, then support it with key figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is arranged in a clear sequence: an introduction and overview, followed by the citywide figures and then the district comparison. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “If we take a closer look,” and “In 2000” help guide the reader, and the main comparisons are easy to follow. This meets the lower-band expectation of coherent overall organisation and shows some effective progression. To make the flow more consistently controlled, avoid relying on broad transitions and connect related comparisons more explicitly. For example, the discussion moves from Manhattan’s rising population to its falling share without clearly distinguishing the two measures; a contrast such as “Although its population grew to 1900, its share then fell…” would clarify the relationship. A more deliberate paragraph structure would also help separate the overview from supporting details.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic vocabulary to communicate the main trends, including “population,” “percentage,” “rising trend,” and “huge increase.” Some choices show an attempt to describe change precisely, such as “fell drastically” and “jumps.” However, the range is limited and several expressions are informal or imprecise for an academic report: “show us,” “top the list,” and “take a closer look.” There are also spelling and word-form errors, including “millon” and “helds,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for more neutral reporting language and vary the verbs used for increases and decreases. For instance, “accounted for” is more suitable than “holds” when describing a population share, while “rose” or “increased” can replace repeated general descriptions of a rising trend.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including a contrast with “but” and a conditional opening, “If we take a closer look…”. Most of the meaning remains clear, and the response communicates the main comparisons. Some grammatical errors remain, however. In “it's five districts,” the possessive form is needed; “the Manhattan will top the list” has an unnecessary article; and “Manhattan helds only 19%” uses an incorrect verb form. The sentence beginning “Manhattan's population was also rising but…” would be clearer with punctuation before “but” and a more precise tense to distinguish the historical stages. Practise accurate possessives, articles, subject–verb forms, and punctuation in longer sentences, while retaining the range of structures you already attempt.

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