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 given tables illustrate the New York Citiy's total population between 1800 and 2000 and differences in the population of the five districts of the city over same time period.It can be seen that population of the New York City increased dramtically between 1800 and 2000. However, Manhattan lost their share from total population whereas other districts share from total population increased throught the time period.

In 1800 New York City only has around 80000 population. However the population of New York City experinced a significant rise between 1800 and 2000. In 2000 Population was 100 times higher thanm population in 1800. As can be seen in the second table, in 1800, Manhatton shares 76% from total population of New york. However, they only share 19% from the total population of New york in 2000. As for the 3rd table other districts including Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Stanten Island only shared 24% from total population of New York in 1800. Surprisingly it almost 3 times creased in the 2000 sharing 81% from the total population in New York.

Overall the population of the New York City increased throught the given time period and other districts population also increased while Manhatton population was decreased between 1800 and 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall trends: New York City’s population grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. The percentages you report for 1800 and 2000 are accurate, and you include the total population’s approximate starting figure. However, the account is less complete because it largely skips the 1900 data, an important middle point: Manhattan still had 54% of residents then, and its population peaked at 1,850,093 before declining by 2000. The statement that Manhattan’s population decreased is accurate only for the period after 1900, not across the full period. Develop the comparison by distinguishing population totals from population shares and reporting the key change at each stage.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to supporting details and a concluding summary. Linking expressions such as “However,” “As can be seen,” and “As for” help signal comparisons, and the main direction of change is generally easy to follow. This coherent arrangement meets the lower-band expectations, while the paragraphing and progression show some features of stronger organisation. However, the conclusion repeats the overview rather than adding a useful final comparison, and the sequence of details is incomplete because 1900 is omitted. Some references, such as “they” for Manhattan, are also unclear. Grouping the figures by year and using precise references would make the progression more consistent and cohesion less repetitive.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “total population,” “share,” “significant rise,” and “increased.” This gives you enough language to communicate the broad trends, although the range is limited and some choices are inaccurate or awkward. For example, “100 times higher” does not accurately describe the change from about 79,000 to 8 million, and “3 times creased” is unclear; the other districts’ share rose from 24% to 81%, or more than tripled. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “Citiy,” “dramtically,” “experinced,” and “Manhatton.” Use precise terms such as “population figure,” “proportion,” and “declined,” and check spelling and collocations carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including contrast clauses beginning with “However” and a sentence introduced by “As can be seen.” The overall meaning is usually understandable, but some grammatical errors recur and reduce accuracy. For example, “In 1800 New York City only has” uses the wrong tense; “Manhattan shares 76%” needs a past-tense verb and a different grammatical pattern; and “Manhattan population was decreased” uses an incorrect passive construction. Articles and possessives are also inconsistent in phrases such as “the New York City” and “Manhattan lost their share.” Aim for accurate past-tense reporting throughout, and practise patterns such as “Manhattan accounted for 76%” and “its population declined.”

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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