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. While the second and third tables depict 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 the later year.

Meanwhile the second table shows that Manhattan contributed to 76% of the total population in the year 1800. While it represented 54% in 1900 and it accounted for 19% of the entire population in 2000. Similarly, the third graph of other districts exhibits that it accounted for 24% of the entire population in 1800, which rose to 46% in 1900 and doubled in 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the data, such as the overall growth trend and the shifting proportions of the districts. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. For instance, the statement that population growth is 'four times greater than what it was in 1900' is mathematically unclear and lacks precision regarding the actual figures provided in the table. Furthermore, the description of the districts is slightly confusing, as the 'third table' is grouped together with the 'other districts' in a way that does not clearly distinguish between the five individual boroughs. To improve, you should focus on selecting key data points (e.g., the specific population figures for 1800 vs 2000) to support your observations more effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear attempt to use cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'Similarly', and 'While'. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical. For example, the transition between the first and second paragraphs is abrupt. Additionally, the referencing is occasionally unclear; the phrase 'the third graph of other districts' is confusing because the prompt refers to tables, not graphs, and the grouping of the districts is not explicitly defined. Improving the use of cohesive devices to link ideas more fluidly would enhance the overall structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the main ideas, including terms like 'demographic trend', 'fluctuation', and 'contributed to'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, referring to the tables as 'graphs' is technically incorrect, and the phrase 'the demographic trend of all the given towns' is imprecise as these are districts within a city, not towns. The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but more precise terminology related to data description would help elevate the score.

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. For instance, the first paragraph contains a sentence fragment: 'While the second and third tables depict the population fluctuation of five major districts over the same time frame.' This should be joined to the previous sentence. There are also minor issues with tense consistency and article usage. Despite these errors, the grammar does not impede communication, and the range of structures is sufficient to meet the requirements for a Band 6.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.