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 charts illustate changes in the total population of New York City and its five districts between 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the total population of New York City is increased significantly where Manhattan had the most population according to other four dirstricts which includes Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.

In year 1800, the total population of New York City was 79,216. However this figure increase significantly to 3,437,202 in year 1900. By 2000 the population had reached approximately 8 million. Regarding Manhattan, its population increased from 60,515 in 1800 to 1,850,093 in 1900. However, it dicreased to 1,538,096 in 2000.

In comparison, the other four districts had a combined population of 18,701 in 1800 which increased to 1,587,109 in year 1900. By 2000 their population had risen dramatically to 6,471,089. Similarly, their share of the population increase from 24% in 18000 to 81% in 2000 while, the Manhattan share fell from 76% in 1800 to 19% in 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main changes and make relevant comparisons, including the sharp rise in the city’s population, Manhattan’s increase and subsequent decline, and the other districts’ growth. The figures for 1800 and 1900 are accurate, and the 2000 total is appropriately rounded to about 8 million. Your overview identifies the broad shift in population share, but it is unclear when you say Manhattan “had the most population according to” the other districts: Manhattan had the largest population in 1800 and 1900, but not in 2000. The overview would be stronger if it explicitly highlighted that reversal. You report the key data, though some comparisons and the overall pattern could be developed more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear four-paragraph structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs presenting the figures. The sequence from the city total to Manhattan and then the other districts is easy to follow, and linking expressions such as “However,” “In comparison,” and “Similarly” help signal contrasts. This gives the report a coherent overall arrangement. Some connections are less effective: “Similarly” does not clearly express the contrast between the districts’ rising share and Manhattan’s falling share, while “where” in the overview makes the relationship between the city total and district populations unclear. More precise referencing and a clearer contrast in the final sentence would make cohesion less mechanical and improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for describing trends, including “increased significantly,” “decreased,” “combined population,” “share,” and “risen dramatically.” These choices communicate the main movements and comparisons. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “had the most population according to other four districts” and “the Manhattan share.” There are also spelling errors, including “illustate,” “dirstricts,” and “dicreased,” which reduce the accuracy of the writing. Aim for more precise expressions for ranking and proportion, and check spelling carefully. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the data, but greater control and variety would make the report more natural and precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex sentences, including contrast clauses with “However” and a relative clause in the introduction. Most of the data remains understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “between 1800 to 2000” uses the wrong preposition pattern; use “between 1800 and 2000.” In “the total population … is increased,” the tense and verb form are incorrect; “increased” is appropriate for this historical period. “This figure increase” and “their share … increase” also need past-tense agreement. The overview’s “where” clause does not form a clear grammatical relationship. More consistent past-tense control and accurate sentence links would improve the range you are already attempting.

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