Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-31

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 table illustrates the change in the total population of New York City between 1800 and 2000. The second and third tabel charts depict the changes in the population of the five localities ( Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island)

Overall, the population of New york city increased throughout the years, Manhattan's population declined in the last centuary. Other districts had a major population surge.

In 1800's around 79,216 people were residing in New york city, inhabitants increased to 3,437,202 and in the 1900,s. While 8,009,185 individuals were living in all five districts. The number of citizens in Manhattan were 60,515 in 1800,s a total 76% of total population, by 1900's 1,850,093 masses were residing in Manhattan a total 54% of total population, in 2000 inhabitants decreased and only 19% was covered by manhattan.

In contrast, other districts citizens were only 18,701 in 1800 around 24% of total inhabitants, There was a major surge by 24% and 1,587,109 locals were residing in these districts. Moreover, 6,471,089 occupants were present in 2000,s a 81% of total population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main time points and provide a relevant overview: the city’s population rose overall, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share grew. Most figures are accurately reported, including the 1800 and 1900 populations and the 2000 total. This meets the task well, with some of the key comparisons already identified. However, the overview could be more precise: Manhattan’s population increased from 1800 to 1900 before declining by 2000, rather than simply being described as declining in the last century. Also, “a major surge by 24%” misrepresents the change: the other districts’ share rose from 24% to 46%, while their population increased substantially. Clarifying these comparisons would make the summary more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for Manhattan and the other districts. This makes the main categories easy to follow, and transitions such as “Overall” and “In contrast” help signal the structure. However, progression within sentences is sometimes awkward, particularly in the total-population paragraph, where the 1900 and 2000 figures are joined in a fragment beginning “While 8,009,185 individuals…”. Some linking is also mechanical, and the final paragraph’s “Moreover” does not clearly express the relationship between the figures. Use complete sentences and connect each year’s data in a consistent sequence to make cohesion smoother and references clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of vocabulary for describing population change, including “increased,” “declined,” “surge,” and “residing.” However, several choices are unnatural or imprecise for an academic data summary. “Masses,” “locals,” and “occupants” are unsuitable substitutes for residents or people, while “a 81% of total population” is an awkward phrase. There are also spelling and form slips, such as “tabel” and “centuary,” and inconsistent capitalization of “New York.” Aim for precise, neutral terms and avoid varying the noun for people simply to sound more sophisticated. Accurate collocations such as “accounted for 81%” and “the population reached” would improve clarity and control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, and the overall meaning is generally understandable. However, control is uneven, especially in sentences that combine several figures. For example, “In 1800's around 79,216 people were residing… inhabitants increased to 3,437,202 and in the 1900,s” has faulty punctuation and an unclear sentence structure; the following “While 8,009,185 individuals…” is a fragment. There are also agreement and article errors, as in “only 19% was covered,” where the percentage refers to a population share, and “a 81%.” Use complete clauses, check singular/plural agreement, and punctuate year references consistently. Shorter, accurately controlled sentences would help you present the data more reliably.

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