Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-26

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 provided table illustrates the growth of the g to eneral populance in New York City over the period from 1800 to 2000, while the second and third tables compares the changes of population in five regions-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, queens and Staten Island.

Overall, in 2000, New York City reported the greatest figure whereas the lowest proportion was recorded in 1800. In terms of five districts' total population, figures in Manhattan rose significantly and the total contribution of other four cities increased.

In 1800, total population in the city was approximately 80,000 and it dramatically developed over 8 millions. Furthermore, Manhattan was the mostly contributed city in 1800, by 76%. However, it plunged to 54% and 19% in 1900 and 2000 respectively.

Other districts, in contrast, showed a considerable growth thr

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you identify the main trends, the analysis is incomplete as the text cuts off abruptly at the end. You successfully highlight the overall growth of the population and the shifting proportions of the districts, but the lack of a full conclusion and the incomplete final sentence prevent a full development of the task. To improve, ensure you provide a complete overview and cover all data points provided in the tables, ensuring you reach the required length to allow for a full analysis of the information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into paragraphs, and there is a basic attempt at logical progression. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In terms of', and 'However' to link ideas. However, the abrupt ending disrupts the flow of the response. The referencing is generally clear, but the mechanical nature of the transitions and the incomplete structure limit the coherence of the overall argument. To achieve a higher band, focus on ensuring that each paragraph is fully developed and that the transition between the general population data and the specific district data is smoother.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'illustrates', 'proportion', 'significantly', and 'plunged'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and spelling, such as 'g to eneral populance' (general population) and 'mostly contributed city' (the city with the highest contribution). These errors do not impede communication, but they do show a lack of precision. Expanding your vocabulary to include more precise academic collocations would help improve your score in this area.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'tables compares' (should be 'compare') and 'other four cities' (the prompt refers to districts, not cities). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the incomplete final sentence is a significant issue. While you attempt to use complex structures, the control is not consistent. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensure that all sentences are complete and grammatically sound before moving on to the next point.

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

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