Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 the total numbers population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables illustrate the population of the five districts (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten and Island) over the same period.

Overall, the population of New York city increased significantly over the period. The percentages of total population for Manhattan declined, while the percentages of total population for other four districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) increased by the end of 2000.

In 1800, New York had 79,216 numbers of total population, from which Manhattan had the highest amount of population stood at 76% with 60,515 numbers of people, while the other four districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) had only 18,701 numbers of total population, which stood at 24%. In 1900, New York had 3,437,202 numbers of total population, out of which, almost the same amount of population was covered by the Manhattan and other four districts, accounted for 1,850,093 and 1,587,109 numbers of individuals and the proportion stood at 54% and 46% respectively.

In the end of 2000, the New York grew significantly with the number of population at 8,009,185. The Manhattan had 1,538,096 numbers of people, which accounted for the percentages of total population at 19%, while the other four districts had 6,471,089 numbers of individuals which accounted for most of the percentages of total population at 81%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all parts of the task, providing a clear overview and selecting key data points from the tables. You successfully identified the main trend: the significant growth of New York City and the shift in population distribution from Manhattan to the other four districts. However, the report could be improved by more effectively grouping the data rather than listing figures chronologically. While you mention the percentages, the comparison between the districts could be more analytical. The inclusion of all necessary data points ensures the task is fully addressed, meeting the requirements for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use some cohesive devices such as 'while', 'in addition', and 'respectively', though some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The paragraphing is appropriate, and each paragraph has a clear focus. To reach a higher band, you could vary your linking phrases more to improve the flow between sentences and avoid repetitive structures like 'the number of population at'. Overall, the organization is clear and coherent.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to convey the necessary information clearly. However, there is significant repetition of phrases like 'numbers of total population' and 'numbers of individuals', which are not natural collocations. Using 'numbers of' repeatedly is imprecise; it is better to refer to 'the population figure' or 'the total number of residents'. While you successfully use terms like 'accounted for' and 'proportion', the range is somewhat limited. Expanding your vocabulary to include more precise reporting verbs and nouns would enhance your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('the Manhattan', 'the New York') and awkward phrasing ('numbers of total population'). Some sentences are slightly clunky, such as 'the Manhattan had 1,538,096 numbers of people'. While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher band. You should focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of definite articles when referring to geographical locations and statistical data to improve your accuracy.

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

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