Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-06

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 compare the figures of population in New York from 1800 to 2000. The second and third table present different districts population in New York across the same period.

Overall, across each year population has reached to massive numbers in New York. One Manhattan district has high population than other districts. However in the last period at district level, population rose more in other districts than Manhattan.

In 1800, New York population was 79,216, while in 1900 it reached almost more than double of it's previous population which was 3,437,202. In 2000, it reached the figure of more than 8 million.

Manhattan district has upper hand than other districts. It's population was 60,515, meanwhile other districts population was 18,701. Population reached 1,850,093 in 1900 (Manhattan), while other districts population still remained lower (1,587,109). In 2000, in Manhattan, there is a sharp decline in the population which reached 1,538,096. However, population rose in the other districts substantially which was 6,471,089.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the data, including the overall population growth and the shift in distribution between Manhattan and the other districts. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. For example, the statement that the population reached 'massive numbers' is vague and lacks analytical depth. While the main trends are identified, the comparison between the districts could be more precise, particularly regarding the specific growth patterns of the individual districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) which are grouped together as 'other districts' throughout the report. The summary is functional but lacks the detailed synthesis required for a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs focusing on specific data points. The progression of ideas is generally clear. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'In 1800', 'In 1900', 'In 2000'). There are also instances where referencing is slightly unclear, such as the transition between the general population and the district-specific data. While the paragraphing is appropriate, the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to connect the data points more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. Phrases like 'upper hand' and 'reached to massive numbers' are not ideal for an academic report. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'last period at district level' and 'reached the figure of more than'. While the student successfully uses numerical data, the range of vocabulary is limited, and there is a reliance on basic descriptive terms. To improve, the student should incorporate more sophisticated reporting verbs and adjectives to describe trends.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The first table compare', 'The second and third table present') and incorrect preposition usage ('reached to massive numbers'). There are also punctuation and possessive errors, such as 'it's previous population' (should be 'its'). While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. A greater focus on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy would be beneficial.

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

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