Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-19
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 main table illustrates the population growth of New York City which happened between 1800 and 2000. Whereas the second and third table depicts the population fluctuation of five major districts over the same time frame.
Overall, it is clear that the demographic trend of all the given towns rose steadily throughout the period showing a continuous upward trend.
Beginning with the first table, it can be seen that the population growth is four times greater than what it was in 1900.
Similarly, there was a significant increase in population from 1900 to 2000 as it doubled in later year.
Meanwhile the second table shows that Manhattan contributed to 76% of total population in year 1800. Whereas, it represented 54% in 1900 and later in 2000 , it accounted to 19% of entire population. Similarly , the third graph of other districts exhibits that it accounted to 24% of entire population in 1800, which rose to 46% in 1900 and doubled in 2000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the data, but it lacks sufficient detail and precision. While you identify the general upward trend, the description of the data is somewhat inaccurate. For example, stating the population in 2000 is 'four times greater' than in 1900 is not supported by the provided figures (which show an increase from 3.4 million to 8.0 million). Furthermore, the analysis of the districts is limited; you group the data into 'Manhattan' and 'other districts' without clearly referencing the specific changes for the other four boroughs. To improve, ensure you accurately interpret the numbers and provide a more comprehensive comparison across all categories.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'whereas' and 'similarly'. Some transitions feel forced, and the connection between the overview and the body paragraphs could be smoother. The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences within the paragraphs could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to better connect the data points rather than just listing them.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. You use basic terms like 'rose steadily' and 'fluctuation', which are appropriate, but there is a lack of more sophisticated or varied vocabulary to describe trends. There are also some minor errors in collocation, such as 'accounted to', which should be 'accounted for'. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise reporting verbs and nouns, such as 'experienced a surge', 'constituted', or 'represented a significant proportion'.
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, such as 'the second and third table depicts' (subject-verb agreement) and 'in later year' (missing article). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before commas. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles will help improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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