Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-03

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 first table provides information about the change in the population of New York ,while the second and third tables present change in population of the five districts of the city over a period from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, it is evident that there was a significant increase in the number of population in New york. Meanwhile, in 1800, Manhattan stood at highest percentage and other districts had the lowest proportion, but in 2000 it was reversed.

Looking at the details of first table, it presents that in 1800, the population of New york was 79,216 only. It results in a significant increased and reached to 8,009,185 in 2000.

The second table shows that in 1800, the Manhattan accounted for the 76% of population while it declined sharply to 19% in 2000.The thirds table illustrates the percentage of four other districts . They accounted for 24% of population in 1800 and it rose systematically to 81% in 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall changes: New York’s population grew substantially, and Manhattan’s share fell while the other districts’ share rose. The figures you give for 1800 and 2000 match the tables, and the reversal in the districts’ proportions is a relevant comparison. This covers the central pattern, but some information is less fully reported: the total population in 1900 is omitted, as are the 1900 district figures and the fact that Manhattan’s population itself rose to 1,850,093 before declining by 2000. Also, “the second and third tables” are described as separate, although the district data are presented together. To develop the summary further, include the middle-year peak and distinguish changes in population totals from changes in percentage shares.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction to an overview and then to details about the total population and district shares. The overview helps the reader identify the main contrast, and phrases such as “Overall” and “Looking at the details” signal the stages of the report. However, progression is somewhat mechanical, and the final paragraph treats the district information as two separate tables rather than grouping the comparison clearly. Some links between ideas are also imprecise: “It results in a significant increased” does not clearly connect the 1800 figure to the later total. Organise the details by time or by population measure, and use clearer references so each comparison follows naturally from the previous one.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of task-related vocabulary, including “significant increase,” “accounted for,” “declined sharply,” and “proportion.” These choices communicate the broad trends, and the language is generally understandable. However, some word combinations and forms are inaccurate or awkward, such as “number of population,” “stood at highest percentage,” and “significant increased.” “Rose systematically” is also not a natural description of the change shown. There are spelling and presentation slips in “New york” and “thirds,” alongside inconsistent spacing around punctuation. Aim for precise collocations and use the same terms consistently for population totals and percentage shares; this will make the comparisons more natural and exact.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including the contrast introduced by “while” and the overview clause beginning “Meanwhile.” The main meaning is usually clear, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “the population … was 79,216 only” has awkward word order, and “It results in a significant increased and reached to” contains problems with tense, word form, and verb pattern. Articles and prepositions are also inconsistent in “the Manhattan” and “reached to 8,009,185.” Punctuation spacing is uneven, particularly before “while” and after the full stop before “The thirds table.” Review past-tense reporting, article use with place names, and verb patterns such as “reach a figure of”; more accurate control would strengthen the range you are already attempting.

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