Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-30
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 depicts changes in the population of New York City over the period from 1800 to 2000 whereas the other two tables depict changes in the population in five different districts from 1800 to 2000.
Overall, in New York City, there has been an increase in the population, whereas in Manhattan the trend fluctuated. The other four districts showed a high percentage increase in population.
In New York City, the population rose drastically from the year 1900 to the year 2000. Manhattan had fluctuated proportion of population as the percentage decreased over years and after 1900 the dip was from 54% to 19% which was a drastic decline.
The other four districts had high percentage increase in the population. In the year 1800, the proportion was 24% which rose to 46% in the year 1900, and from the year 1900 it can be seen that population doubled in percentage which is 46% to 81%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| 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 features of the data, but it lacks sufficient detail and precision. While you identify the general trend of population growth and the decline in Manhattan's proportion, the analysis is somewhat superficial. You mention that the population 'doubled in percentage' for the other four districts, but the data provided in the tables is not fully exploited to show the specific changes over the two-century period. To reach a higher band, you should provide more specific data points from the tables to support your observations and ensure that the comparison between the total population and the district-specific data is more clearly integrated.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical. For example, the transition 'In the year 1800... and from the year 1900 it can be seen' is a bit repetitive. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the connection between the total population table and the district tables could be smoother. Using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing (e.g., 'the other four districts') is always precise would improve the flow of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, but it lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. Phrases like 'rose drastically' and 'high percentage increase' are functional but somewhat basic. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'Manhattan had fluctuated proportion of population'. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to data trends, such as 'experienced a significant surge' or 'witnessed a steady decline'. The current range is sufficient to convey meaning but does not demonstrate the flexibility needed for a higher 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, such as 'Manhattan had fluctuated proportion' (missing article/preposition) and 'which is 46% to 81%' (awkward phrasing). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the sentence structure could be more varied to improve the overall sophistication. The errors present do not impede communication, but they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher band score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct article usage will help improve accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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