Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-30

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)

There are three provided diagrams where the first diagram illustrate total population of New York City over 2 decades from 1800 to 2000. The second diagram shows population in Manhattan where the third gives information about the population of other districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island) from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, it is clear that population of New York City have incresed over time in all districts. In Manhattan the population have incresed in number compared to 1800 but have decresed in numbers from 1900 to 2000 whereas in other districts population have incresed drastically over time.

Firstly, in New York (all districts) population have incresed drastically over time as it just started with 79,216 in 1800 which went to 3,437,202 in 1900 which is nearly 5 times which again doubled in the year 2000 and went to 8,009,185.

Secondly, in 1800 Manhattan had majority of population compared to there four distrcits which was 76% having 60,515 which decreased to 54% eventhough the number have incresed in 1900. In 2000 the population decresed to 1,538,096 by having just 19% of population where other districts had 81% of population having 6,471,089 in numbers which just started with 18,701 in 1800.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall pattern: New York City’s population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. The figures you include are generally accurate, including the city totals and Manhattan’s 2000 population. This gives the response a relevant overview and supports it with selected data. However, some comparisons are incomplete or imprecise: the city total did not simply “double” from 1900 to 2000, and the account gives little detail about the other districts’ growth between 1800 and 1900. The phrase “in all districts” also conflicts with Manhattan’s decline in population after 1900. A more precise overview and fuller comparison of the three years would make the key features clearer and more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs presenting data. Sequencing expressions such as “Overall,” “Firstly,” and “Secondly” help readers follow the progression from the city total to the district figures. The main relationships are also grouped sensibly. However, the linking is somewhat mechanical, and some references are unclear—for example, “which just started with 18,701” requires the reader to infer that this refers to the other districts in 1800. The overview’s statement that all districts increased also sits awkwardly beside the later account of Manhattan’s decline after 1900. Use clearer comparisons and refer explicitly to the relevant population or share to improve cohesion and progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “population,” “compared to,” “decreased,” and “percentage,” so the topic remains understandable. There is also some attempt to vary expression with “drastically” and “majority.” However, the range is limited and several choices or spelling errors reduce precision, including repeated “incresed,” “decresed,” and “distrcits.” “Diagrams” is not the most accurate label for tables, while “nearly 5 times” and “doubled” are imprecise descriptions of the changes. Aim for accurate data-reporting collocations such as “rose from … to …,” “accounted for,” and “the remaining districts.” Careful proofreading and less repetition would make the vocabulary more controlled and appropriate to an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast in “whereas in other districts…” and a subordinate clause beginning “even though.” These structures help communicate comparisons, but errors in verb forms and agreement occur across the response. For example, “the first diagram illustrate” needs subject–verb agreement, and “population … have incresed” should use a singular verb form. The sentence beginning “Firstly” also has an unclear construction around “which went to … which is nearly 5 times.” Articles and sentence boundaries need attention as well, particularly in the long final sentence, where several figures and comparisons are joined together. Use shorter, accurately controlled sentences alongside complex ones, and check agreement and tense consistently.

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