Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-06

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 tabular representation depicts the variation in the total population of New York City between 1800 and 2000, while the second and third diagrams illustrate changes in the number of people living in the five districts of the city, namely Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island, over the same time frame.

Overall, the population of New York City has surged since 1800. While Manhattan contributed largely towards it back in 1800, its share in the total population gradually decreased over time. On the contrary the proportion of people living in other districts has steadily increased.

At the first glance of the tables, it is abundantly clear that the total count of people residing in New York City in 1800 was 79,216 which soared to a whopping 3,437,202 in 1900 and further increased by around 4,500,00 in 2000. Moreover, Manhattan's population in 1800 was 60,515 which became three times in 1900. In addition to this, the share of Manhattan's population in the total population of the city reduced by 57% from 1800 to 2000.

Moving further, while other districts comprising of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island contributed a meagre 24% towards the total population of New York City in the year 1800, the total population living in these districts increased almost nine times in 1900 and then further quadrupled in 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response effectively identifies the main trends and provides a clear overview of the population growth in New York City and its districts. You successfully highlighted the shift from Manhattan's dominance to the growth of other districts. However, there are some inaccuracies in the data reporting. For instance, you mention an increase of 'around 4,500,00' in 2000, which appears to be a typographical error or a miscalculation of the total. Additionally, the statement that Manhattan's population 'became three times in 1900' is slightly imprecise compared to the provided data. Ensuring absolute precision with figures is essential for Task 1.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. The use of cohesive devices such as 'On the contrary', 'Moreover', and 'Moving further' helps guide the reader through the information. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the general overview from the specific data points. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the relationship between the total population and the district-specific data is well-managed, contributing to a coherent response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'tabular representation', 'surged', 'meagre', and 'quadrupled' effectively. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, which adds precision to your descriptions. While there are minor issues, such as the phrasing 'became three times in 1900' (which is slightly unnatural), the overall lexical control is sufficient to convey the intended meaning clearly and with some sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and error-free, though there are occasional slips, such as 'comprising of' (which should be 'comprising' or 'composed of') and the awkward phrasing of the population increase in 2000. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the grammatical errors present do not impede communication. To reach a higher band, focus on refining complex sentence structures and ensuring consistent accuracy in numerical reporting.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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