Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-14
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 provides data on the changes in the total population of New York City between 1800 to 2000, whereas the second and third tables demonstrate significantly changes in the growth of the five districts such as Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island over the same time period.
Overall, the first table observed the whole population of five districts over a given year. In 1800, the population was 79,216, followed by 3,437,202, in 1900 and 8,009,185 in 2000.
On the one hand, the second table explains the total growth of Manhattan district.It is clear noticed that the population and percentage rapidly decreased with the passage of time. There were 60,515 in 1800 at 76%, 1,850,093 in 1900 at 54% and 1,538,096 in 2000 at 19% respectively.
On the other hand, the third table illustrates the changes of growth ratio of other districts of New York City. A significant difference can be shown between 1800 to 2000. The population of these districts sharply rose over the mentioned period. In 1800, it was 25% ,however in 1900 it was 46% as well as in 2000, the percentage jumped dramatically higher at 81%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers the main features of the data, including the total population growth and the shifting proportions of the districts. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you correctly identify the decline in Manhattan's percentage and the rise in the other districts, you could improve by making more direct comparisons between the specific growth rates of the districts rather than just listing figures. The overview is present but could be more clearly integrated to highlight the most significant trends, such as the dramatic shift in population distribution over the two centuries. Ensure you clearly distinguish between absolute population numbers and percentage shares to avoid confusion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas from the general population to the specific district data. You use some cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand' to structure your arguments. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical or awkward, such as 'The first table observed the whole population', which is not a natural way to describe data. Additionally, the referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly when grouping the 'other districts' together without explicitly naming them in the final paragraph. Improving the variety of linking words would enhance the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'significantly', 'proportion', and 'dramatically'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, 'demonstrate significantly changes' should be 'demonstrate significant changes', and 'the first table observed' is an incorrect verb choice for a table; 'presents' or 'illustrates' would be more appropriate. There is also some repetition of basic verbs like 'explains' and 'shows'. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'accounted for', or 'surpassed'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. For instance, 'between 1800 to 2000' should be 'between 1800 and 2000'. There are also issues with article usage and pluralization, such as 'the growth of the five districts such as Manhattan...' where 'districts' is redundant after 'five'. Some sentences, like 'It is clear noticed that', contain errors in passive voice construction. While these errors do not prevent the meaning from being understood, they occur frequently enough to limit the score to a 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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