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 tables illustrate changes in the total population of New York City and the distribution of its population among five districts of the city, namely Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, between 1800 and 2000.
Overall, it is clear that theNew York City population increased dramatically over the period. The proportion of Manhattan total population declined rapidly, while the population of the other districts rose significantly.
In 1800. New York City had a population of 79,216., of whom 60,515 (76%) lived in Manhattan and the remaining population 18,701 (24%) lived in the other districts. By 1900, city's population climbed to 3,437,202. Manhattan population also increased to 1,850,093, and proportion declined to (54%). The population of other districts raised to 1,587,109, representing (46%) of the total.
In 2000, city's had doubled population than the population in 1900, accounting for 8,009,185. In contrast, the population of Manhattan decreased sharply to 1,538,096, representing only (19%) whereas the other districts population increased significantly to 6,471,089, making up (81%) of the total.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response successfully covers all key parts of the task by outlining the main features of New York City's total population changes and comparing them with the five individual districts between 1800 and 2000. An appropriate overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the dramatic overall growth alongside the shift in population proportion away from Manhattan and towards the other districts. Key data points, such as the initial 1800 figures and the 2000 totals, are selected and reported accurately. While there are a few minor formatting or phrasing awkwardnesses in data reporting (e.g., placing the percentage in parentheses rather than integrating it fluidly), the task is fully and adequately addressed overall.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is grouped logically, starting with an introduction and overview, followed by specific data for 1800 and 1900 in the third paragraph, and concluding with the figures for 2000 in the final paragraph. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'By 1900', and 'In contrast' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating the general trends from specific chronological details.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task, including terms such as 'distribution', 'proportion', 'declined', and 'significantly'. There are some awkward lexical choices and phrasing errors, such as 'theNew York City population' (spacing error), 'raised' instead of 'rose', and 'city's had doubled population than the population in 1900'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with some minor inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, though these do not impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at relative clauses and time clauses. However, there are several grammatical errors and punctuation issues throughout, including a stray full stop in 'In 1800. New York City had a population of 79,216.,' missing articles ('city's had doubled population'), and awkward phrasing ('the remaining population 18,701'). Despite these errors, meaning is generally clear, and the punctuation errors do not seriously impede overall communication.
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