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 tables illustrate the changes in the total population of New York City across five different districts between 1800 and 2000. Overall, the population rose significantly throughout the period, while Manhattan recorded considerable increase in initial period, before dropping by 2000. Meanwhile, population of other districts rose gradually and also the proportion of total population. In 1800, the total population of New York was 79,216, while 76% of population lived in Manhattan, at 60,515, compared with 18,701 for other districts, which contributed 24% of the total population. By 1900, the total population increased to 3,437,202, while 54% of population lived in Manhattan, with 1,850,093 citizens. Meanwhile, other districts stood at 46%, with 1,587,109 people. Turning to 2000, total population increased significantly, reaching 8,009,185, with a gradual decline in Manhattan's population which dropped to 1,538,096, contributing 19% of total population. Meanwhile, other districts population rose to 6,471,089, which accounted for 81% of total population.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response covers the main features of the data well, identifying the overall growth trend and the shift in population distribution between Manhattan and the other districts. You successfully selected key data points from 1800, 1900, and 2000 to illustrate these trends. However, the report could be improved by providing a more detailed comparison of the specific districts mentioned in the second table (e.g., the rapid growth of Brooklyn or Queens) rather than grouping them all as 'other districts'. This would provide a more comprehensive overview of the data provided in the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is logically organized, moving chronologically through the data points. You use cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'By 1900', and 'Turning to 2000' to guide the reader through the timeline. However, the paragraphing is insufficient; the entire response is presented as a single block of text. To achieve a higher band, you should separate the introduction/overview from the body paragraphs. Additionally, some transitions feel slightly repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'Meanwhile' to start sentences.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'illustrate', 'recorded', 'contributed', and 'accounted for'. There are some minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'recorded considerable increase in initial period' (missing articles) and 'other districts population' (missing possessive apostrophe). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, it lacks the variety and precision required for higher bands. Incorporating more sophisticated synonyms for 'increase' or 'decline' would enhance the lexical quality.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, particularly regarding articles ('the' population, 'the' total) and possessives. For example, '76% of population' should be '76% of the population', and 'other districts population' should be 'the population of other districts'. These errors are frequent but do not impede communication. To improve, focus on consistent use of articles and ensuring subject-verb agreement in complex sentences.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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