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 tables provide the data total population of New York city's five districts between 1800 and 2000.

Overall, the New York city's population from 1800 to 1900 increased 34 time more, in next century it almost doubled the previous. While other tables shows that more than half of population were in Manhattan in early two centuries, In last century it opposed the population in other districts.

To begin with, the population of New York city's five districts , in 1800 with population of 79,216 , while in 1900 the population increased sharply with 3,437,202 . 21st Century population almost doubled the previous one with 8,009,185.

Secondly, the population of Manhattan in 1800 was 76% with 60,515 where other districts ( Brooklyn,Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) with 24% 18,701 of population. In 1900 Manhattan's population increased slightly with 54% and 1,850,093 of people and other districts 46% of people 1,587,109 .While In 2000 a huge difference we can see that Manhattan's population significantly decreased with 19% of people 1,538,098 and also a sharp increased in other districts population with 81% of people 6,471,089.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main comparisons and provide a clear overview: the city grew substantially, while Manhattan’s share fell and the other districts’ share rose. The key figures for 1800 and 1900 are generally reported accurately, and you include both population totals and percentages. This meets the task well, with some features more fully developed than others. However, the overview’s phrase “in early two centuries” is unclear, and saying Manhattan’s population “increased slightly” in 1900 is misleading: its population rose greatly from 1800, although its share of the city total fell. In 2000, you report Manhattan’s population as 1,538,098 rather than 1,538,096. Make the overview more precise and distinguish changes in population numbers from changes in percentages.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and two detail paragraphs. The sequence from the citywide totals to the district comparison is logical, and phrases such as “To begin with” and “Secondly” help signal the sections. However, these transitions feel mechanical, and some links between ideas are unclear. For example, “While other tables shows…” does not form a clear contrast with the preceding sentence, and the long final paragraph combines several years and comparisons without enough sentence separation. Use clearer topic sentences and connect each year’s figures directly to the relevant comparison. More precise referencing would also help readers follow whether you mean population totals or percentages.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “increased sharply,” “significantly decreased” and “huge difference,” so the main trends are understandable. However, the range is somewhat limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or repetitive. “Increased 34 time more” is not a natural way to describe the change, while “increased slightly” does not accurately convey the large rise in Manhattan’s population total. Repeated use of “population” and “people” also makes the account less precise. Choose vocabulary that distinguishes totals from shares, and use standard expressions such as “rose to,” “accounted for” and “fell as a proportion.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including contrasts between Manhattan and the other districts. However, errors in sentence formation and agreement are frequent enough to make some statements difficult to follow. For example, “The tables provide the data total population” is missing a necessary grammatical link, and “the population … in 1800 with population of 79,216” is a fragment rather than a complete sentence. There are also agreement and article problems in “other tables shows” and “the New York city’s population.” Work on complete clauses, subject–verb agreement and consistent sentence boundaries. For instance, state the 1800 figure in a full sentence, then use a separate sentence to compare it with 1900.

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