Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-28

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 tables illustrate the growth of New York City population and its distribution among five districts from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the total population increased dramatically, while manhattan share drop sharply and others districts show gradual increase in number of residents.

In 1800, total number of peoples in New York are 79,216 and after the period of 100-years it reached to higher than 3.4 millions as will as with gradual icrease the public become more than 8 million.

On the other hand, in 1800 the Manhattan has largest share of residents nearly 76% of total population. Moreover, the other 24% of population lived in other four districts.

After one centuary in 1900, Manhattan contribution dcreased slightly and its has 54% public in total population of city, while the share of other district has increased gradually and reached to 46% in 1900.

In 2000, after the sharp decline the share of Manhattan in total population of New york become only 19%. In addition, the number residents lived in other four districts has increased dramatically and reached to 81% of total population of city.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall contrast: New York’s total population rose substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ combined share grew. The key percentages for all three years are reported accurately, and the response covers both the city total and the district distribution. This gives the reader a clear account of the central pattern. However, some features are less fully developed: the overview says the other districts increased “gradually,” although their share rose from 24% to 81%, and the account does not clearly distinguish population numbers from percentages. You could strengthen the summary by noting that Manhattan’s population itself rose to a peak in 1900 before declining by 2000, while the other districts’ population increased throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to figures for 1800, 1900 and 2000. Time markers such as “In 1800,” “After one centuary in 1900,” and “In 2000” help readers follow the chronology, and the contrast between Manhattan and the other districts is generally clear. However, the organisation is somewhat mechanical because each year is treated in a separate paragraph, and linking phrases such as “On the other hand” and “In addition” do not always express a precise relationship. The overview and body also repeat the same share changes. Grouping the data to compare Manhattan with the other districts across the period, and using clearer references, would make progression more flexible and cohesive.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing trends and proportions, including “increased dramatically,” “share,” “decline,” and “reached.” These choices make the main comparisons understandable. However, the range and control are limited by repeated or imprecise expressions, such as “public” for population, “other districts” when referring to their residents, and “gradual increase” for a very large change in share. There are also noticeable spelling and word-form errors, including “icrease,” “centuary,” and “dcreased,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for precise terms such as “population,” “proportion,” and “combined population,” and check spelling and collocations carefully. This would make the description more natural and exact.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast with “while” and a time clause beginning “After one centuary in 1900.” The overall meaning is usually recoverable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “Manhattan share drop sharply” has incorrect subject–verb agreement and tense, while “its has 54% public” contains an incorrect verb form and an unclear noun phrase. Articles and number forms are also inconsistent in phrases such as “the Manhattan” and “number residents.” Most sentences remain understandable, but these errors make the writing less controlled. Review past-tense reporting, agreement, articles, and sentence construction, then proofread each sentence for a complete and grammatically consistent structure.

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