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 given tables illustrate the total change in population ranging from 1800 to 2000. First table represents the change in population of whole New York City, whereas the second table shows the change in population of Manhattan district only, also how much percentage does it constitute of the total population. The third table showcases us the change in population of districts: Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island conjunctively.
In the first table provided, there was a sudden surge in population from 79,216 to 3,437,202; a staggering 40% growth. And upon observing the second table, we infer that, the main reason of the spike in population during 1900 was due to increase in population of Manhattan. It held 54% of the total people in New York during 1900. Upon observing the tables, there was an increase in population in New York City by approximately 5,000,000 from 1900 to 2000; however, a sudden decline in population of Manhattan was seen.
The population of Manhattan itself collapsed from 54% to 19% upon transitioning from 1900 to 2000, conversely, there was an incremental spike observed in population of the other four districts from 46% to 81%.
In conclusion, the overall population of New York City across these three years has increased. Additionally, population of Manhattan declined and that of the other four districts(Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) increased.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| 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 trends effectively, identifying the overall population growth and the shift in distribution between Manhattan and the other four districts. However, the analysis is slightly hampered by inaccuracies in data interpretation. For instance, the claim of a '40% growth' between 1800 and 2000 is mathematically incorrect based on the provided figures, and the reference to 'three years' is confusing as the data spans two centuries. While the main features are highlighted, the lack of precision in reporting the data points prevents this from reaching a higher band. The overview is present but could be more clearly integrated to highlight the contrast between the city's total growth and the shifting district proportions.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs focusing on specific trends, and a concluding summary. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'however', and 'conversely' are used to link ideas, although some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The progression of ideas is generally clear, moving from the total population to the specific district breakdown. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different data sets, which helps the reader follow the comparison. To improve, ensure that referencing (e.g., 'these three years') is accurate to avoid confusing the reader regarding the timeline of the data.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with some attempts at more sophisticated language such as 'staggering', 'conjunctively', and 'incremental spike'. However, there are some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'showcases us' (which is redundant) and 'collapsed' (which is a bit dramatic for a demographic shift). The range is sufficient to convey the main points, but more precise terminology related to data description—such as 'proportion', 'accounted for', or 'fluctuated'—would enhance the quality of the response. Spelling is accurate throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While there are several error-free sentences, there are also recurring grammatical issues, such as missing articles ('in population of Manhattan') and minor punctuation errors. The use of complex structures is attempted, but some phrasing is slightly unnatural, such as 'how much percentage does it constitute'. Despite these errors, the meaning remains clear throughout, and the grammatical slips do not impede communication. To reach a higher band, focus on consistent article usage and refining the structure of complex sentences to ensure they are grammatically sound.
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.