Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-12

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 illustrates the transitions in the total population of New York City between 1800 and 2000. The second and third compares the total population and percentage of the five district of the city over the same period.

Overall, the population of the New York City increased substantially over the period, whereas the percentage of total population in Manhattan declined significantly throughout the period.

Looking the growing population of the New York City. In 1800, the total population of this city was 79,216, however, it grew rapidly in 1900, rising from 79216 to 3,437,202. Finally, in 2000, the size of population rose considerably and increased to 8,009,185.

The second table illustrates the total population and percentage of Manhattan's people. The number of people increased substantially, rising from 60,515 to 1,538,096, whereas the total percentage dropped from 76% to 19% over the period.

Finally, the last table provides information about the population and proportion of other four districts. The number of people in these district went up over the period and increased to 6 471,089. Similarly, the proportion of total population recorded a sharp rise, increasing from 24% to 81%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all parts of the task well by reporting the main features of the population changes in New York City and its five districts between 1800 and 2000. Key data points are selected and cited correctly, such as the overall population growing from 79,216 to over 8 million, and Manhattan's percentage dropping from 76% to 19%. Comparisons are made effectively between Manhattan and the other four districts. The overview is clear and captures the main trends. However, there are minor issues with mechanical data grouping in the body paragraphs, but overall, the task is successfully addressed to a Band 6.5 or 7.0 standard.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by an overall trend statement, and subsequent body paragraphs detailing specific tables. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'whereas', 'however', and 'finally', though some transitions are slightly awkward, such as 'Looking the growing population'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to structure the response, ensuring a logical progression from the total population to specific districts, although the referencing and linkage between sentences occasionally feel mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response, including items such as 'substantially', 'declined significantly', 'proportion', and 'rapidly'. There are some word choice and grammatical collocation errors, such as 'transitions' instead of 'trends' or 'changes', and omitting a noun in 'The second and third compares'. Less common lexical items are attempted, but minor inaccuracies in word formation and collocation prevent a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The text demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and comparative forms ('whereas the total percentage dropped'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'Looking the growing population of the New York City' (which is a fragment) and 'in these district' (singular/plural mismatch). Additionally, there is a formatting slip with numbers: '6 471,089'. Despite these errors, meaning is generally clear and does not impede communication.

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

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