Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-29

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 the variation in the total population of New York City between 1800 and 2000, Whilke the second and third tables depict the fluctuation in the population of five different districts of the city ovewer the same period.

Overall, it is evident that the population raised over the period with Manhattan had the most popluation at the beggining where it went down at the end of the time. Other districts ( Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, State Island ) popluation rose significantly, followed by New York City.

To begin with, during 1800 The city of New York had 79,216 individuals where this number significantly increased to over 3 million and 8 million by 1900 and 2000 respectively. Manhattan accounted for the most of the population of the total population of over 75% by 1800. With the passage of time the population increased while, the percentage decreased and reached to only 19% by the end of the time.

Other districts ( Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island ) had less population by percentage as compared to Manhattan at first but it raised in the following years. In 1800 theses districts were less popules with over 18 thousands presenting over 20% of the total. In the upcoming years this number and percentage increased lefting Manhattan with 46% and 81% of the total.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall pattern: New York City’s population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. You also include relevant figures, such as the city total of 79,216 in 1800 and Manhattan’s 19% share in 2000. However, some key details are incomplete or unclear. Manhattan’s population rose from 60,515 to 1,850,093 by 1900 before declining to 1,538,096 in 2000; your account says it increased but does not clearly report this reversal. The final sentence also misstates the shares: 46% and 81% belong to the other districts in 1900 and 2000, not Manhattan. A more precise overview and clearer comparisons would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the figures. The progression from the city total to Manhattan and then the other districts is generally logical, and phrases such as “Overall” and “To begin with” help signal stages. However, some connections are awkward or unclear. For example, “with Manhattan had the most population at the beginning where it went down” does not clearly distinguish population from percentage, and “leaving Manhattan with 46% and 81%” makes the comparison difficult to follow. Cohesive phrases such as “with the passage of time” are also repeated without always clarifying the relationship between figures. Use clearer references and organise each comparison around a specific year.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “total population,” “accounted for,” “percentage,” and “increased.” These choices make the topic clear, and you attempt more formal reporting language. However, spelling errors such as “Whilke,” “popluation,” “beggining,” and “theses” are noticeable, while some word choices and collocations are inaccurate: “population raised” and “less popules” are not natural ways to describe the data. “Fluctuation” also suggests repeated rises and falls, whereas the figures mainly show growth, apart from Manhattan’s later decline. Aim for precise, conventional expressions such as “the population rose” and “accounted for a smaller share.” Proofreading spelling and word forms would improve clarity and control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “while” and “where,” and the main message is usually understandable. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly in sentence construction and punctuation. The opening sentence contains a repeated article in “the the variation,” and the overview’s “with Manhattan had” does not form a correct clause. In “the population increased while, the percentage decreased,” the comma interrupts the clause, and “reached to only 19%” uses an incorrect grammatical pattern. The final sentence also has an unclear construction around “leaving Manhattan with.” Build comparisons with complete clauses—for example, “Manhattan’s population rose until 1900, then fell”—and check articles, verb forms, and punctuation.

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