Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-10

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 gives statistical data of total population in New York city in three years and other two tables illustrates the changes in population of the five districts of the city over the same period.

Overall, in 2000, New York city had the highest population over the years and same followed by other districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island) except Manhattan, whereas in Manhattan the proportion of population kept decreasing throughout.

In 1800, the total population of New York city (including five districts) was at 79,216. The number kept in increasing over a year 3,437,202 in 1900. Followed by highest population in 2000 by 8,009,185.

Other districts like Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island, the population kept increasing over the years from 24% in 1800 to 81% in 2000 respectively. However, in Manhattan the percentage kept decreasing by 76% in 1800. Followed by 54% in 1900 and 19% in 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the data, identifying the overall growth in total population and the contrasting trends between Manhattan and the other districts. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. The reporting of figures is occasionally inaccurate or confusing, such as stating the population 'kept in increasing over a year 3,437,202 in 1900'. The comparison between the 1800 and 2000 percentages is also slightly unclear in its presentation. To reach a higher band, you should ensure that the data points are cited with greater precision and that the trends are described with more analytical depth rather than just listing numbers.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. There is a clear progression of ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as the repetitive use of 'Followed by' to start sentences. Referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to connect the trends in the total population with the specific district data more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to describe trends such as 'increasing' and 'decreasing'. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. There are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'statistical data of total population' (should be 'data on the total population') and 'same followed by other districts' (which is grammatically unclear). To improve, you should aim to use more precise terminology for describing trends, such as 'witnessed a steady rise' or 'experienced a significant decline'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text, such as 'the table... illustrates' (subject-verb agreement error, as 'tables' is plural) and 'kept in increasing' (incorrect verb form). Punctuation is generally functional, but some sentence constructions are awkward, which occasionally hinders the flow. Increasing the frequency of error-free complex sentences would help in achieving a higher band score.

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

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