Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-02

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 very first table illustrates the population change of the city New York between the period 1800 and 2000. Whereas, the another two tables display the vital information regarding the changes in the population of the five districts of the city namely, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the population of New York city had rose dramatically over the years . share in population percentage had sharply declined in Manhattan over the years. nevertheless , the proportion of other districts in total population had increased significantly.

To begin with, the population of New York had skyrocketed in all five districts. In the first 100 years from 1800 to 1900 it had experienced the surge of around 30 times [ 79,216 and 3,437,202 respectively]. While, in next 100 years it showed a mere increase of approximately 2 times and reached to 8,009,185.

Moreover, the ratio of population of district Manhattan fell drastically , ranging from 76% in 1800 to merely 19% in 2000. However, the proportion of population of other districts in total population had gradually increased from 24% to 81 % between this period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall patterns accurately: New York’s population rose substantially, Manhattan’s share fell, and the other districts’ combined share increased. The figures you include for the city total and the percentage changes match the tables, and the comparison between the first and second centuries is relevant. This meets the task well, but some key information is less fully reported: Manhattan’s population rose to 1,850,093 by 1900 before declining to 1,538,096 in 2000, a notable contrast that is omitted. The other districts’ population also grew in absolute terms, not just as a share. Develop these comparisons to make the summary more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure, moving from an introduction to an overview and then to details about total population and district shares. This gives the reader a coherent route through the information. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “To begin with,” and “Moreover” help signal the stages, although some transitions feel mechanical or are not punctuated effectively; for example, “Whereas” begins a fragment after the first sentence, and “While” introduces another incomplete clause. The overview also repeats the same contrast later rather than using the final paragraph to add a distinct comparison. For stronger progression, group related figures together and connect complete sentences with clear, accurate referencing.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonably varied range of vocabulary for describing change, including “surge,” “skyrocketed,” “fell drastically,” and “increased significantly.” These choices communicate the broad trends, and the meaning remains clear. However, some expressions are imprecise or unnatural for a formal data summary: “vital information” adds little, “ratio of population” is not the best term for a percentage share, and “mere increase of approximately 2 times” is awkward. There is also some repetition of “population” and “over the years.” Aim for precise, conventional collocations and avoid dramatic wording when a neutral description such as “rose” or “increased” is sufficient.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including a contrast with “Whereas” and a time comparison using “While.” However, some sentence forms are incomplete or inaccurate. “Whereas, the another two tables display…” is not a complete independent sentence, and “While, in next 100 years…” is also a fragment. The overview contains the verb-form error “had rose,” while “share in population percentage had sharply declined” lacks a clear article and grammatical subject. Punctuation and spacing around commas and full stops are inconsistent. These errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the main trends, but they limit accuracy. Practise complete clauses, correct past-tense forms, and consistent sentence punctuation.

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