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 table displays information about how the total population of New York changed from 1800 to 2000, while the second and third tables show the contribution of different boroughs of New York in enhancing the population.

Overall, in 2000 the population was highly dense because of the contribution of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island, whereas a reverse trend is noticed in the years 1900 and 1800, where more than half of the contribution was due to Manhattan.

In the year 1800, the population was 79,216, which was lower than in the other years, mostly because of Manhattan, which contributed 76%, while the other four boroughs contributed just 24%, the lowest in all years. In contrast, in 1900 the population increased to 3,437,202, which was a significant shift from thousands to millions, whereas the contribution of Manhattan was 54% (1,850,093), while the other districts contributed 46% in total.

In 2000, there was a great shift in population, which was considerably higher, showing 8,009,185 inhabitants. A reverse trend is observed in which Manhattan contributed only 19%, which was the least of all the years, compared to the other cities, which contributed 81%, the highest overall.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses the task by summarising the main features of the tables provided, covering the total population changes and the changing contributions of the five boroughs across the years 1800, 1900, and 2000. You correctly highlight key data points, such as the initial low population in 1800 heavily dominated by Manhattan, the dramatic shift to millions in 1900, and the reversal in 2000 where other boroughs made up the vast majority. Comparisons are made effectively across the time periods. While a more granular breakdown of every individual borough could have added extra depth, your selection and reporting of the main trends are accurate and well-supported by the provided figures, aligning well with the Band 7 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and distinct body paragraphs addressing specific years. Information and ideas progress logically throughout the response. You use a range of cohesive devices and transitional phrases appropriately, such as 'Overall', 'In the year 1800', 'In contrast', and 'In 2000'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and effectively to separate different time periods and analytical focuses. Referencing between sentences is generally clear, ensuring the reader can easily follow the comparisons made between Manhattan and the other boroughs. Overall cohesion is well managed, supporting a solid Band 7 performance.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as 'contribution', 'enhancer', 'reverse trend', 'inhabitants', and 'significant shift'. There is some attempt to use less common vocabulary and lexical chunks, such as 'considerably higher' and 'dominating trend'. However, there are minor awkwardness issues in word choice and collocation, such as 'enhancing the population' (which sounds unnatural in this demographic context) and referring to boroughs as 'cities'. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication, placing your lexical performance firmly in the Band 6 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and comparative forms (e.g., 'which was lower than in the other years', 'whereas the contribution of Manhattan was 54%'). There is good control over punctuation and sentence boundaries. While there are a few minor grammatical awkwardnesses and slightly run-on sentence constructions (such as the long compound sentence structure in the third paragraph), the majority of your sentences are clear and grammatically sound. Errors do not impede communication, demonstrating a solid command of grammar consistent with a Band 6.5, which rounds to a 6.0 based on standard half-band practices or a 6.0 descriptor match.

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

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