Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-30
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)
In year 1800 population of New York city is 79,216. In year 1900 the number of population is increased from 79,216 to 3,437,202. In 2000 a very large number of increase is shown that is 8,009,185. In Manhattan district in year 1800 population is 60,515 and the percentage is 76%. In year 1900 population is 1,850,093 and the percentage is less this year from 76% to 54%. In year 2000 population decreased by last year which is 1,538,096 and the percentage is also very decreased from 54% to 19%. In other districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) in these districts in year 1800 population is 18,701 and percentage of population is 24% and in year 1900 the population is 1,587,109 which is a very large jump and the population percentage is 46% in year 2000 population is increased from 1,587,109 to 6,471,089 and the percentage is also increased to 81%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers the main trends in the population data, but it lacks a clear overview or summary of the most significant features. The information is presented as a list of figures rather than a cohesive report. While the data points are accurate, the analysis is limited to simple descriptions of increases and decreases without highlighting the broader shifts in population distribution between Manhattan and the other districts. To improve, you should group the data more effectively and provide a clear introductory summary of the overall trends.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is written as a single paragraph, which makes it difficult to follow. There is a lack of logical progression or paragraphing to separate the total population data from the district-specific data. Cohesive devices are minimal and repetitive; for example, the phrase 'In year...' is used at the start of almost every sentence, creating a mechanical and monotonous flow. Using a wider variety of linking words and organizing the response into clear paragraphs (e.g., one for the total population and one for the district comparison) would significantly improve the coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on basic terms like 'population', 'number', 'increase', and 'decreased'. There is little attempt to use more sophisticated vocabulary or synonyms to describe trends, such as 'surged', 'plummeted', 'fluctuated', or 'accounted for'. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of lexical variety prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Incorporating more precise terminology related to data reporting would enhance the quality of your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The grammar is characterized by simple sentence structures and frequent errors in articles and verb tense usage. For instance, 'In year 1800 population of New York city is...' should be 'In the year 1800, the population of New York City was...'. There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and missing prepositions. The response lacks complex sentence structures, which are necessary for higher band scores. Focusing on consistent tense usage (past tense for historical data) and improving sentence variety will help you achieve a better score.
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