Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-04

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's demonstrates changes in the population of New York city and its districts from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the total population of the New York city throughout the period increased significantely into millions, and it is diversified into different districts.

By the year 1800, Manhattan alone had 76% population of the NYC and while the other 24% is divided into other districts. Although, the total number of people increased in the NYC but the density of population in the Manhattan had dropped massively by 2000. In the year 1900, though the number massively jumped to 1.8 million in the Manhatten, the percentage of total population decreased to 54%, while other districts gained 46% but almost had the same number of population.

At the start of 2000, majority of the individuals were mostly concentrated in other districts rather than Manhattan. The number dropped to 1.5 million which contributed to 19% of the total population in Manhattan, meanwhile the other districts held 81% of the public.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main shift clearly: Manhattan’s share falls from 76% to 19%, while the other districts’ share rises to 81% by 2000. You also report the Manhattan figures for 1900 and 2000, and your overview notes the city’s overall growth. However, the total population increase is described only generally as reaching “millions”; the figures of about 79,000, 3.4 million and 8 million would make this trend more precise. The statement that the other districts “almost had the same number of population” in 1900 is unclear and inaccurate: their combined population was about 1.59 million, compared with Manhattan’s 1.85 million. More precise comparisons and clearer reporting of the total figures would strengthen coverage of the tables.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details about 1800, 1900 and 2000. This gives the reader a broadly logical progression, and time markers such as “By the year 1800” and “In the year 1900” help locate the information. However, the overview is vague, and some links between ideas are awkward or unclear. For example, “Although, the total number of people increased … but” combines two contrasting linkers, while “while other districts gained 46% but almost had the same number” makes the comparison difficult to follow. Organising the body around the changing shares and populations, and using simpler, more precise transitions, would make the progression smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use enough vocabulary to describe population trends, including “increased,” “dropped,” “concentrated” and “contributed to,” and the main meaning is generally understandable. There are also attempts at more formal wording, such as “majority of the individuals.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing statistical data: “the table’s demonstrates,” “diversified into different districts,” and “density of population” do not express the intended ideas precisely. “Public” is also not an appropriate substitute for population, and “Manhatten” is misspelled. Aim for standard collocations such as “population share,” “accounted for,” and “the remaining districts,” and check spelling and word forms to improve precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “although,” “though” and “while,” so there is some structural variety. The main comparisons can usually be understood, but some grammatical errors recur. For instance, “The table’s demonstrates” has an incorrect possessive form, and “Although … but” uses incompatible conjunctions. In “Manhattan alone had 76% population,” the article and sentence pattern are incomplete; “Manhattan accounted for 76% of the population” would be more accurate. The sentence beginning “At the start of 2000” also has an awkward construction, and punctuation around linking words is inconsistent. Focus on accurate clause construction and articles while retaining your attempts at complex sentences.

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