Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-08
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 illustrates shifts in the overall population of New York city between 1800 to 2000. While the second and third tables demonstrate transformation in populace of the five different districts of the city over the same period.
Overall, it can be seen that the by the end of the period the city's total number of population was increased dramatically comparing to beginning. Nevertheless the Manhattan overall population percentage was declined. In addition other districts such as Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island populace grew significantly.
To begin with, in 1800 the total numbers were around 79,216 which was recorded the smallest numbers. However it climbed in 1900 and 200 which were accounted 3,437,202 and 8,009,185 respectively. Moreover in manhattan the population was around 60,515 in 1800 stood at 76%. Over the years it considerably decreased 54% and 19% in 1900 and 2000 respectively.
Other four districts population were combined in 1800 it was around 18,701 accounted for 24% of total. Moreover it rose substantially in 1900 which was 1,587,109 and 46% of total, that percentage was almost doubled in 2000 stood at 81%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers all parts of the task by identifying the main trends in the total population and the shifts in district percentages. You successfully highlighted the contrast between Manhattan's decline and the growth of the other four districts. However, the overview is slightly underdeveloped; while you mention the total population increase and the shift in percentages, it could be more precise. The data selection is generally accurate, though there are minor inaccuracies in the presentation of the years (e.g., writing '200' instead of '2000'). Overall, the main features are clearly reported, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.5 or 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Moreover', and 'Nevertheless' to link ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the second paragraph where the sentence structure is fragmented. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the total population data from the district-specific data. To reach a higher band, ensure that sentences flow more naturally and that cohesive devices are used to connect ideas rather than just starting sentences.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'illustrates', 'shifts', 'transformation', and 'substantially'. There are some word-choice errors, such as 'populace' used where 'population' would be more natural, and 'total numbers were around' which is slightly imprecise. Additionally, there are some minor spelling or typographical errors (e.g., 'manhattan' should be capitalized). The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, but it lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt complex sentences, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with verb tense and subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the city's total number of population was increased' should be 'the city's total population increased'). There are also issues with prepositions and articles (e.g., 'in manhattan' instead of 'in Manhattan'). These errors do not generally impede communication, but they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on consistent verb tenses and proper sentence construction will help improve this score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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